Solidarity | La Voz del Paseo Boricua

On Saturday, May 9, U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) concluded the first phase of a national effort to document the harm caused to U.S. citizens in the absence of a comprehensive immigration reform, in a rally held at the McCormick Place. Over 2,000 people were present to see “El Gallito” speak.

The rally called on President Barack Obama to act on his campaign promise to carryout immigration reform, recalling his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In his speech, Obama declared: “Passions fly on immigration, but I don’t know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child.”

Joining Congressman Gutiérrez at the event where many prominent figures including Sen. Roland Burris, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Freddy Santiago, Rev. Lynette Santiago, Rev. Shanahan, Rev. Wilfredo de Jesús, State Rep. Susana Mendoza, Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, Ald. Billy Ocasio, Ald. Manny Flores, Ald. Danny Solis, immigrant rights activists Juan Salgado, Josh Hoyt, Emma Lozano and labor leader Tom Belanoff.

In his passionate and insightful speech, Gutiérrez referenced several times Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” drawing on important lessons of the Civil Rights struggle for justice. The Congressman concluded with the following appeal: “Though we have only just passed the first 100 days of the Obama administration, it is the 11th hour for our immigrant community, and there is no time to waste.”[/lang_en]

[lang_en]Latino Clergy to Boycott all City of Chicago Social and Business Functions Boycott Response To Diminishing Role Of Latinos In Government Decision Making [/lang_en]

Posted on 07 febrero 2009 by Jonathan Rivera

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On Thursday, February 5, Latino Clergy from across the city came together to announce they would no longer be attending any business or social functions hosted by the City of Chicago. This action was prompted by a growing frustration with city officials over their failure to proportionally include Latinos in key government decisions in accordance their growing population and prominence in the city.

“Latinos will not be sold for $7.99. We don’t want some bacon and eggs, we want a piece of the pie,” stated Reverend Wilfredo de Jesus, of New Life Covenant Church in Humboldt Park in reference to the frequent breakfasts city officials have hosted to pander to Latino leaders.

This effort is supported by Latino Alderman such as Alderman Billy Ocasio and has received the written support of several Latino State Senators and Representatives.[/lang_en]