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BRO volunteers support May Day rallies for immigrant rights

Last Friday, individuals and organizations gathered at the state Capitol in Salem to call for comprehensive immigration reform, fair and just wages, and an end to immigration raids that tear families apart. The event was sponsored by CAUSA, PCUN, SEIU, Voz Hispana, Rural Organizing Project, and more–and it drew over 3,000 immigrant and labor rights advocates!
Basic Rights Oregon was proud to support the May Day rally, and the ongoing work of Oregon’s movement for immigrant rights. If you remember 2004’s marriage equality campaign in Oregon, you’ll remember that CAUSA, the statewide immigrant rights coalition, took a stand by publicly endorsing the No on 36 campaign, and holding conversations with members about LGBT rights. After all, both LGBT and immigrant communities know what it feels like to be marginalized. We all know what it feels like to:

- Live under laws that say we are less human;

- Feel vulnerable and unsafe because of policies, institutions and attitudes that keep us on the margins.
The struggles for immigrant rights and LGBT rights are distinct, to be sure, but we share these critical experiences as communities. And leaders in Oregon’s immigrant rights movement have been staunch supporters of LGBT rights for years. That’s why BRO staff and volunteers from Portland were proud to be a part of the crowd to support our coalition partners in the immigrant rights and labor movements. And that’s why BRO supporters from Eugene volunteered as legal observers, to ensure that the rally and march went smoothly and peacefully.
Congratulations to all the rally organizers on a fantastic event, and thanks to the BRO volunteers who joined in!
For more photos: BRO’s flickr stream

For more information: CAUSA’s press release

For video of the rally: CAUSA’s YouTube video