New Jersey Essential & Excluded Workers Caravan Ask State Leaders: “What About Us? – ¿Y Nosotros Que?

On Wednesday morning, New Jersey immigrant day laborers, worker centers and allies led over 50 cars in a “COVID-safe car protest” demanding Governor Murphy and state leaders provide emergency assistance to immigrant workers and families. Encircling the statehouse with banners on their cars reading “What About Us? — ¿Y Nosotros Que?” the groups call on state lawmakers to reject and address bigotry in the state and the exclusion of NJ immigrants from emergency relief.

Caravan of Essential and Excluded Workers Protest Gov. Cuomo Over Denial of Emergency Assistance for Immigrants

On Tuesday afternoon, about 100 cars are participating with New York immigrant day laborers, worker centers and allies in a “covid-safe car protest” in front of the Governor’s office on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The protest in New York, over 3 blocks long, comes after Governor Cuomo cited funding limitations to excuse the continued exclusion of over half a million immigrant workers statewide.

NY Day Laborers: And us, what about New York? Y nosotros que, Gov. Cuomo?

On Friday, day laborer organizations from across the metropolitan New York City area again called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to provide immediate relief for all immigrants. In a digital press conference on Friday morning, day laborers shared powerful stories of the physical and psychological toll of the pandemic, of exclusion from federal assistance, and of losing loved ones to covid-19 (excerpts below and video available for download).

NDLON Reaction to California Fund for All Immigrant Workers

Today’s announcement is a necessary first step to close the widening gap between immigrants and vital assistance that could mean the difference between life and death for millions of Californians. The abject failure of Congress and the sinister policies of the Trump Administration have created a domestic human rights crisis with disproportionate impact on California. As a consequence, California lawmakers have a legal responsibility and moral obligation to respond accordingly.