For Immediate Release
Jan. 20, 2025
Contacts:
Palmira Figueroa, pfigueroa@ndlon.org,
(425) 301-2764
Salvador Sarmiento, sgsarmiento@ndlon.org, (202) 746-2099
On the ground:
Manuel Vicente, mvicente@ndlon.org
Pasadena Community Job Center:
(626) 440-0112
More information at ndlon.org or email info@ndlon.org
IMMIGRANT WORKERS HONOR SERVICE AND SOLIDARITY ON MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY | Pledge to Defeat Hatred and Division With Love and Solidarity NDLON Launches ‘Know Your Rights’ Websites As Fire Relief Campaign Enters Third Week
PASADENA, Jan. 20 – Day laborers, other immigrant workers, and volunteers from all walks of life briefly paused their relief efforts on Monday morning to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday. Gathering at the Pasadena Community Job Center, they recalled his example of fighting injustice with courage, and rededicated themselves to the rebuilding of their fire-ravaged community.
And after prayers, remarks, songs and a joyous shout together – “¡Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo!” – everybody got back to work.
On a day that also featured the second inauguration of Donald Trump, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) launched a website to help people know and assert their Constitutional rights to protect themselves and their families from unjust immigration enforcement.
The site is available in English and Spanish at KnowYourRightsUnderTrump.org and conocetusderechos.org.
Meanwhile, the Pasadena Community Job Center, at 500 N. Lake Ave., is now in its third week as a hub for disaster relief for residents of Pasadena and Altadena hit hard by the Eaton Fire.
“In only three weeks you have overturned the usual immigrant story,” said Nadia Marin-Molina, Co-Executive Director of NDLON. “You have thrown a false narrative into the trash, along with the fallen trees and ashes. You are not frightened victims waiting to be oppressed. You are unafraid, rebuilding a community and society, working from the bottom up, with equality and solidarity.”
Marin-Molina continued: “After these L.A. fires, we know more fires are coming for immigrant communities. Migra fires. Fires set by ICE. It’s a dangerous time. But we know that L.A. — or any disaster zone — cannot rebuild without immigrants. Nobody could be so foolish as to think otherwise — unless it is someone who has no understanding of immigrants’ sacrifice, commitment and love.”
Thanks to an overwhelming surge of generosity from donors and volunteers, the Center, at 500 N. Lake Ave., is offering shelter, food, water, relief supplies, cleanup and debris removal, timely information and other support to members, neighbors and friends.
NDLON laborers have also formed a Volunteer Fire Relief Brigade that is clearing fire debris and fallen tree limbs, and delivering essential resources like food, water, medicine, PPE, and masks to those in need. The Brigade will also provide training on fire safety, workers’ rights and health protection during recovery efforts.
Many videos, photos, interviews and stories are available through NDLON’s Radio Jornalera and social media platforms. NDLON’s efforts are centered on mutual aid and solidarity, guided by the principle “Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” – only the people save the people.
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