For Immediate Release

Contact:           B. Loewe, NDLON, 773.791.4668, bloewe@ndlon.org

 

Day Laborers Hold National Convention in Los Angeles: “Nuestra Lucha, Nuestra Voz”


At Pivotal Moment for Immigration Reform, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) celebrates accomplishments, takes stock of moment, and plans next steps

 

Los Angeles, CA – Sunday, August 24th to Thursday August 28th, 2014

 

Over 200 day laborers and migrant worker organizers from across the country will gather in Los Angeles next week for the biennial national assembly of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). 

 

The gathering occurs at a potentially historic moment in the evolution of United States immigration policy.  As Congress recesses and the President contemplates a potentially massive shift in deportation policy, day laborers will plan their collective next steps. Routinely dehumanized as the face of undocumented workers, vilified by nativists, and exploited unscrupulous employers, day laborers are indisputably central to the national discussion about immigration and workforce policy, and NDLON has emerged as a leading voice in an emerging movement for migrant rights.  

 

In courts, in state capitols, in Congress, and on the streets, NDLON has defended civil rights and pushed back against the criminalization of immigrants.  Whether in Arizona, or fighting the Arizonification of other states, NDLON has assumed a leadership role in the fight to end the infamous Se Communities program.

 

The network’s #Not1More campaign alongside others created bottom-up pressure that contributed to the President’s recent announcement that he will unilaterally make immigration policy “more humane.”  Many expect a major policy announcement within weeks.   In the meantime, day laborers and their allies are organizing to ensure the broadest inclusion to end the division of “deserving” and “undeserving” within the immigrant community.

 

All along, its members rise to the occasion as first defenders in natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy in New York and continue the daily work of promoting safe work sites and dignified pay for day laborers who participate in organized street corners and worker centers that serve as community institutions and an example of immigration reform at the local level in cities and towns across the country. At the assembly, worker centers will launch a new campaign to train more than XXX in OSHA 10 standard health and safety procedures, reducing accidents and increasing job opportunities for members.

 

Through the work of the Network, what started as an effort to improve the lives of day laborers within local communities has taken root as a vehicle for a national movement for the equality of migrant workers.

 

This year’s assembly will focus on the theme of “our struggle, our voice” and continue NDLON’s history of developing the grassroots leadership among directly impacted people to participate in and lead campaigns and negotiations over policies that shape their lives.

 

Conference Media Events

 

The following are a list of events with expected media coverage: 

 

1. Pre-Assembly Briefing on Children’s Migration with Experts from El Salvador – Saturday, August 23rd    

  • 10:00am – 12:00pm – Carecen – 2845 W. 7th St. Los Angeles, 9005
  • Experts Elizabeth Kennedy and Dr. Jaime Rivas Castillo from El Salvador will share their findings from exclusive studies with deportees in El Salvador to illuminate the phenomenon of migration and deportation from Central America

 

2. Special Screen of “Sleep Dealers” with Takj by Director Alex Rivera –

Sunday August 24th

  • 8:00pm UCLA Carne Commons, Palisades, 3rd Floor. 251 Charles E. Young Drive Los Angeles, CA 90095
  • Sci-fi film predicted use of drones and projects a future country that benefits from migrant labor but has discovered how to do without migrant laborers.

 

3. Keynote Speeches by Tom Saenz, MALDEF and former Sec. of Labor Hilda Solis – Monday, August 25th.

  • 10:15am UCLA Carne Commons, Palisades, 3rd Floor. 251 Charles E. Young Drive Los Angeles, CA 90095

 

4.  ICE Out of LA March and Workers’ Rights Town Hall –

Wednesday, August 27th

  • 3:00pm gather at Plaza Olvera (535 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012) to march to the detention center demanding LA County cut its its with federal deportation efforts.
  • 4:30 worker speak out and town hall at La Placita Church promoting protections for organizing and whistleblowers in administrative relief

 

5. Música, Canto, y Lucha: Concert Celebrating the Day Laborer Community –

Wednesday, August 27th

  • 7:30pm Concert by Quetzal, Cambalache, Los Jornaleros del Norte, and Ceci Bastida celebrating day laborer culture and community
  • Candela Taco Bar and Lounge – 831 S. La Brea Ave. LA, 90036. Tickets $5 in advance, $10 at the door.

 

Speakers at the assembly include:

Erika Andiola, DRM Action Coalition,

Maria Elena Durazo, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of LA County Federation of Labor, Liduvina Magarin, Vice Minister for Salvadorans Abroad

Raymond Pocino, Vice President of Laborers International Union

Sergio Rascon, Business Manager of Local 300, Laborers International Union

Tom Saenz, President of MALDEF,

Secretary Hilda Solis, former secretary of the US Department of Labor

Jose Antonio Vargas, Define American

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