[WW] The workers' struggle has no borders

[WW]

-------------------------
Via Workers World News Service
Reprinted from the March 1, 2001
issue of Workers World newspaper
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"THE WORKERS' STRUGGLE HAS NO BORDERS" 

By Anne Pruden
Brooklyn, N.Y.

On Feb. 18, a freezing cold Sunday, with most workers off 
for the day, residents of Brooklyn's Williamsburg and 
Bushwick neighborhoods showed support for protesters who 
marched through.

Several Latino organizations led 1,000 people on a two-hour 
march against exploitation of and discrimination against 
immigrant workers and their families. A major demand was for 
amnesty for undocumented workers.

Brian Barraza of the Association of Mexican American Workers 
explained, "All workers have rights, no matter their 
status."

The protest passed through housing projects and by community 
stores and near hated sweatshops. The spirited bilingual 
chants of protest denounced "ghost" bosses who hire 
immigrants at their factories and pay less than minimum wage 
without overtime pay or any other benefits. These bosses 
also often suddenly disappear without paying the workers.

At a street meeting after the march, speakers attacked the 
racism and brutality of Brooklyn's police. The cops, they 
said, continue to side with sweatshop bosses by harassing 
day laborers who are forced to stand on street corners to 
seek work.

Workers' rights to decent housing, education, health care 
and union organizing were on each speaker's agenda.

Members of several local churches joined the protest. "La 
lucha obrera no tiene fronteras!" shouted protesters before 
ending the rally. The workers' struggle has no borders.

They then met at the nearby office of the Latin American 
Workers Project to plan more rallies and protests. Sponsors 
of the Feb. 18 rally included the Latin Workers Project, 
Workers in Action, Garment Workers Solidarity Committee, 
Coalition for the Rights of Immigrants, Filipino Workers 
Center and the Global Sweatshop Coalition.

- END -

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