In the pages of this issue, the reader will find articles that speak directly to the vision of what America can be: a land of opportunity, freedom, and equality for all. Beginning with “We the human family,” we have all been immigrants since our forefathers first set foot here from Africa. The unity ceremonies of the Standing Rock Water Protectors point towards closing the circle and joining the hands of the human family.
Whether it is in opposing unjust laws such as Texas’ SB4, known as the “Show me your papers” law, immigrants and non-immigrants are standing up to defend themselves, their families, and their neighbors. This is shown in the formation of coalitions and defense committees as is happening in the Corpus Christi Immigration Coalition article. In the great moral tradition of America’s abolitionists who fought the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, sanctuaries are spreading, and people are in the streets of Austin, TX and opposing unjust laws even in non-Red states like California.
Immigrant indigenous farm workers from southern Mexico are fighting and winning union contracts in Washington state, as detailed in “A new farm worker union is born.” This occurs despite the anti-immigrant environment being promulgated by some of our nation’s leaders. Undocumented youth brought up in the United States are remembering their roots and fighting for justice for themselves and their families, as detailed in the DACA article and the Dreamer interview.
Hundreds in detention centers in Tacoma, WA, in The Dalles, OR and in Adelanto, CA have demanded food fit for eating, medical services, clean clothes, speedy trials, affordable bonds and no more transfers out of state.
Detained undocumented workers persist in their hunger strike at their detention center in Washington state.
We should take comfort in the justice of our cause and rely on the basic sense of justice and fair play of the American people, who were all immigrants themselves at some point. Just as today’s immigrants are called “criminals” for not having papers, U.S.-born workers are criminalized for not having a job, a house and for being poor. We have much in common with deceived workers who voted for Trump and now are suffering the withdrawal of health care and severe cuts in social services.
Divide and conquer will work only for so long. The articles on “why immigrants come” help to show how this strategy has been used throughout U.S. history. It is becoming clear to many that Trump and his vicious policies are not going to “make America great again” for the U.S.-born or for immigrants.
The very viciousness of our enemy’s attacks is a sign of their weakness. They fear more than anything else that immigrants and non-immigrants will start to see that they have more in common than they do with the tiny class of billionaires that Trump and Wall Street represent.
We have to seek out what we have in common. The pages of the Tribuno del Pueblo are open to its readers. It gives voice to the voiceless. It points out who our enemies are, and who are our friends. It helps us maneuver away from obstacles in our path and helps us to seize opportunities. More than anything, it gives us a strategy to win.
Please support the current subscription drive. Give as though your life depended upon it, because it does.
Our cause is the happiness and preservation of humanity. Our banner is preventing the separation of families. Our press is the Tribuno del Pueblo and it is yours.
