“On the Road to Justice, Ni un Paso Atrás (Not One Step Back)”
Day Laborers From Across Nation Arrive in Los Angeles to discuss future –
Multiple media opportunities, including “A Better Life” screening w/ Chris Weitz
What: Sixth National Assembly
When: February 19 – February 23rd, 2012
Where: Sheraton Downtown, 711 S. Hope St. Los Angeles, CA. 90017
Tonight: Director Chris Weitz and Actor Jose Julian to screen the Oscar-recognized film, A Better Life with day laborer audience.
View the Assembly Program Here
(02.20.2012 Los Angeles, CA) Hundreds of immigrant day laborers from 15 different states arrived in Los Angeles last night for the 10th anniversary of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, a national federation of 43 organizations working to advance the rights of immigrant workers.
Tom Saenz, President of MALDEF, will give the opening keynote this morning at 9:00am. Throughout the assembly, day laborers from across the country will gather to take stock of their accomplishments from the past two years; fighting against Arizona and Georgia’s anti-immigrant laws, leading the charge against the dangerous “Se Communities” deportation program, expanding efforts to end wage theft and unsafe workplaces, among other things. During the summit in Los Angeles, day laborers will reflect upon the challenges ahead and set forth an affirmative agenda for the coming year.
This will be the first time the assembly is held in Los Angeles, home to the largest population of day laborers and the longest-running workers’ centers in the country.
“Like all migrants, day laborers have been under seige in recent years,” explains NDLON Director Pablo Alvarado. “Yet, when day laborers defend against attacks on our rights and our dignity, we advance the rights for all people in the United States. This year we will be far more assertive in our efforts to advance the rights of working migrants, and our assembly will create a roadmap for our collective work.”
The first day will close with a screening of the Oscar-recognized film A Better Life where Demian Bichir portrays a Los Angeles day laborer striving to provide for his son, played by Jose Julian. Julian and Director Chris Weitz will be in attendance for a post-film discussion with day laborers themselves.
Commenting on the film, Marco Loera explains, “At a time when today’s public discussion about immigrant families has become filled with toxic scapegoating, movies like A Better Life are more important than ever. Chris Weitz’s film offers a fresh way to change the conversation and stop the hate. The movie rises above the scapegoating and shows a family struggling to make it, something we all can relate to. The fact that Demian Bichir is nominated for best actor should make politicians think twice. Those who have gone as unsung heroes in our communities for years may now be getting their rightful praise on the silver screen. And with it, an audience of Americans who are ready to embrace and not attack immigrant workers.”
Various media events are planned throughout the weeklong convention.
View the Assembly Program Here
Conference Media Events
Monday 2/20
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9:00am |
Opening Keynote: Tom Saenz, President of MALDEF |
|
9:45am |
Keynote: Raymond Pocino, LIUNA |
|
7:30pm |
Screening of Oscar-recognized, A Better Life, with director Chris Weitz and actor Jose Julian |
Tuesday 2/21
|
9:00am |
Keynote: AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka |
|
9:30am |
Keynote: Tavis Smiley, Television Host and Author |
|
7:30pm |
Cultural Night and Concert by Los Jornaleros del Norte |
Wednesday 2/22
|
9:00am |
Keynote: Maria Elena Durazo, Secretary Treasurer LA AFL-CIO |
|
5:00 – 7:00pm |
Rally Against Sheriff Baca’s Se Communities Deportation Program at County Board of Supervisors and March to Federal Building |
Thursday 2/23
|
8:30am |
Keynote: Kent Wong, UCLA |
NDLON’s mission is to strengthen and expand the work of local day laborer organizing groups, in order to become more effective and strategic in building leadership, advancing low-wage worker and immigrant rights, and developing successful models for organizing immigrant contingent/temporary workers. NDLON fosters healthy, safer and more humane environments for day laborers to obtain employment and raise their families. In this sense, NDLON advances the human, labor, and civil rights of day workers throughout the United States.
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