From the open publishing newswire: Measure 5-190 Exceeded Columbia County Jurisdiction and Violates Federal Law. April 13, 2009 -- St. Helens -- A Columbia County judge today overturned an anti-immigrant ballot measure approved last fall because it conflicts with federal immigration law and would have required the county to take enforcement actions beyond its authority.

From the open publishing newswire: The current operating contract for the Northwest Detention Center expires at midnight on Thursday 23 April. Because of delays caused by the Bill of Rights Defense Committee - Tacoma this contract will have to be extended on an emergency basis. A request for proposals has only just been released

From the open publishing newswire: Arizona is the testing ground for right-wing immigration policy. If we cannot stop it there, we'll see similar activities spread across the country. It is crucial that we raise awareness and collect resources in support of the communities terrorized by the Maricopa Sheriff and his volunteer posses.

We will hear from Portland delegates that attended the gathering, the march, and collected testimony from people affected by Arpaio's terrorism. We will also come together to agree on strategic actions that the Portland community can take to stand in solidarity with the Phoenix community and also show the country that we will not tolerate hateful policies anymore.

Come hear local activists report back from Phoenix, Arizona. Stop the hate! Stop Joe Arpaio! Stop ICE raids!

When: March 10th, 7-9pm
Where: VOZ 1131 SE Oak&#8232

From the open publishing newswire: The Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist Movement- Denver and anti-racist comrades held an anti-racist picnic, taunt racist Minutemen and disrupt their meeting. The Colorado Minutemen, a virulently racist anti-Mexican group, held a meeting at the Englewood Library on Saturday, February 21st . RAIM-Denver became aware of the meeting less than a week in advance and was eager to oppose it. With little time to coordinate and promote a large protest, we decided instead to hold a picnic. RAIM-Denver was serving up non-alcoholic wine, cheese, and the best part: crackers.

RAIM-Denver was joined by a couple Denver-area anti-racist comrades, making our picnic only a handful in size. That didn't stop us from getting our point across. As was done at Denver's last confrontation with the Minutemen, klan hoods were offered to the racists as they entered the building. We made some banners also.

RAIM-Denver understands that the U.S. Southwest is land stolen from Mexican and Indigenous peoples. Thus RAIM comrades proudly displayed the Mexican flag. Other comrades held a banner that read,"If you don't like Mexico, get out!"

 http://raimd.wordpress.com

From the open publishing newswire: On Wednesday, February 18th, members of the Columbia County Latino community and their allies will join together for a community walk, entitled Procession for Respect and Dignity. The walk is organized by the new group Latinos Unidos para un Futuro Mejor (LUFM, or Latinos United for a Better Future), and is a public demonstration of the faces of Columbia County's Latino Community that has been under attack for the last eighteen months by ballot measures 5-190 and 5-191. The Procession for Respect and Dignity will bring our neighbors and ourselves out of the shadows and show honest, responsible community members that work hard to support families and contribute to the local economy.

With measure 5-190 and its high-profile court challenge, the previously invisible Latino community has been thrust into the spotlight. In the Procession for Respect and Dignity, the community will speak with a united voice for the first time, and show that we are your neighbors: honest, working people who deserve respect and dignity.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 18, 2009. 4pm - 6pm
WHERE: In St. Helens, Oregon. Starting at the St. Frederic Catholic Church at 175 S 13th, and ending at the County Courthouse.
WHO: New community organization Latinos Unidos para un Futuro Mejor (LUFM), in collaboration with Columbia County Citizens for Human Dignity (CCCHD), and with support from the Rural Organizing Project, and CAUSA: Oregon's Immigrants Rights Coalition.

From the open publishing newswire: just thought some of ya might be interested to know...this "recruiting event" is advertised in the Portland Tribune, featuring a large picture of a bunch of dudes in cowboy hats riding horses... thursday feb. 5, 9am-3pm, Embassy Suites Portland-Airport, 7900 NE 82nd St...for info call 360-332-1610

From the open publishing newswire: A self righteous resident of Columbia County had two anti-immigrant measures added to the ballot out here. One would have required signs proclaiming Columbia County to be an "illegal worker-free zone." That one failed, thank goodness. A second measure, however, mandates a fine of $10,000 for anyone who hires a so-called "illegal alien." Apparently, it could also mandate that the sheriff's office check people's papers. This one passed.

From the open publishing newswire: The Oregon Minuteman were out in force on Monday, September 22, 2008, protesting the Portland Day Laborer Worker Center located on MLK Jr. Blvd and NE Everett. One of those protesting the Labor Center site said they had been there since 6:00 in the morning.





There were several people seeking employment on the site, both near the trailer and on the street, so I suspected that the dual protests might have taken its toll on their efforts to gain employment.
On inquiring about this possibility I was told that Monday's are usually slow and that the presence of the Minuteman may not be having much of an effect.

I was hoping to get some interviews with both sides, the Minutemen as well as those showing up to counter protest their presence at the site, but the Protesters refused to comment on camera.

Those who where there protesting the presence of the Minutemen were more forthcoming. One stated that he was there "to support the Day Laborers Center and the day laborers. I think that they are a real contribution to the Portland Community, and supporting day laborers is a way to support all American workers. It's not against American workers to have day laborer centers, it's for them; if we don't support the people at the very bottom of the work chain, then the top of the work chain isn't going to get any better either."

A few minutes earlier I heard one of the Minutemen stating that if these folks were truly looking for work they should be looking through more conventional, acceptable channels, denigrating the existence of these Day Laborer Centers. I asked one of the counter protesters his response to that point and he stated that "having a center is just a way of protecting both the employers and the employees. If they don't have a central place then people are going to take advantage of them much more. They have to have a place where they can come out of the rain, have a place to get work in a decent way. Standing on a street corner asking for work is not a dignified way to get work. We need to support the dignity of American workers, and the Day Laborer Center is doing that."

From the open publishing newswire: We're now witness to the largest wave of human migration the planet has ever seen. Driven by a new, truly international form of capitalism, human populations are alternately violently displaced, economically pressured, invited, coerced into relocation across the globe by civil wars, low intensity wars, high intensity wars, famines, droughts, hurricanes, floods, trade policies, austerity, other countless other economic and environmental catastrophies. This is globalized capitalism. We live in a time of threatened ecological collapse and the beginnings of capitalism's greatest tragedy-the possibility of a human created mass die-off of mamallian and other forms of life.

From the open publishing newswire: Jonah has been in Northwest Detention Center for about a week and a half now. During this time, he has been buying overpriced ramen noodles and trading meat for small cups full of green beans at meals. He has sent in requests for vegan food several times and they have all been denied. Today he's starting hunger strike. He's already feeling weak from lack of nutrition, so please help by calling GEO at 253 396 1611 and telling them to feed him good food!! You'll need his A# - 88737285 and his full name - Jose Alberto Larrama Portillo.

Also, he needs supporters from all over to write letters - On a computer or typewriter, not hand written - to the judge. In these letters you should include who you are, what your citizenship status is, your contact info, how long you have known Jonah and how much he rules.. Include things about how he feeds the hungry and teaches you new tricks and is ridiculously helpful and selfless with everyone. You need to write them to "Honorary Immigration Judge." Sounds silly, I know. "Dear Honorary Immigration Judge," And send them to him. Three copies.

And please keep sending letters of support.

Jose Alberto Larrama Portillo
A#88737285
1623 East J St, Suite 5
Tacoma, Wa 98421

From the open publishing newswire: In support of workers' and immigrants' right, Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition has organized a demonstration at the South Park Blocks. There will be a puppet handling workshop at three, rally at four, and march at five.

From the open publishing newswire: Police Attack March

The march today in Tacoma has just ended. There have been two confirmed arrests. There are still people unaccounted for. The massive police presence attacked the march at its end. There will be another update when we have confirmed everything.

~ Tacoma Smash ICE

Tacoma Smash ICE Live Blog

From the open publishing newswire: Rally @ 12 PM---March @ 1 PM
This coming Saturday there will be a rally starting in People's Park at 12 PM in the Hilltop district of Tacoma. At 1 PM we will leave the park and head down the hill.

As it stands right now, no one even knows about the existence of the Northwest Detention Center. The families affected by the raids and those who support them are aware of its existence. But the general population does not know.

This blackout and secrecy has gone on for too long. Those of us with the privilege and ability to do something have done nothing. Those of us least affected by the raids have sat by for too long while the process of detention, removal and terror continues unabated.