From the open publishing newswire: Know Your Rights Workshop
April 27, noon-2pm
6401 SE Foster

Sponsored by the Committee Against Political Repression and the Portland Central American Solidarity Committee.

What to do if the cops of ICE try to talk to you -- at home, in the street, or while driving.

Presentation in English and Spanish.

Conozca a su Taller de Derechos
27 de abril de mediodía a 14:00
6401 SE Foster

Auspiciado por el Comité Contra la Represión Política y el Comité Centroamericano de Solidaridad Portland.

¿Qué hacer si la policía de ICE intentan hablar con usted - en casa, en la calle, o mientras se conduce.

From the open publishing newswire: Gary "Rusty" Fleming was a no-show at the Salem Public Library on Saturday January 26th, but in spite of this over 75 people turned out for the OFIR-hosted screening of his film "Drug Wars: Silver or Lead." The film is a bloody romp through the lawless world that is the US and Mexico border. The movie was written and produced by Gary "Rusty" Fleming, filmmaker and volunteer public information officer in Hudspeth County, Texas.

Oregonians for Immigration Reform are an interesting bunch of folks. Their members actively write to local publications, chastising journalists for not referring to undocumented people as "illegal-immigrants" and calling for the implementation of the highly unreliable E-verify system. Last month the Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) released a publication entitled "The Fiscal Burden of Illegal-Aliens on Oregonians," which OFIR proudly makes references to in their endless stream of guest opinion columns and letters to the editor. The report is lousy with exaggerated numbers and fully acknowledges that it has no data on the immigration status of foreign-born students, but claims that 75% of the US-born children of undocumented immigrants will need Limited English Proficiency instruction. OFIR hasn't shut up about this report since it came out and it didn't take long to learn something about this group: they're ticked off, they're vocal, and they're scared to hell of pretty much everything. This event was no exception to the rule, and OFIR had been hyping it since December with urgency and panic in every website update, one of which insisted:

It opened with a quote that stated "The first terrorist in this country was a drug dealer, and nobody did anything about it." The film didn't go on to elaborate exactly who this first terrorist was, because we were immediately plunged into a montage with real-life footage of bodies lying in the street, SWAT teams swarming into buildings, and assorted white powders on cracked mirrors. This was interspersed with reenactments of shoot outs filmed in pick-n-pull lots where Mexican gangsters in red bandannas and white tank tops hid out amongst piles of old junky cars.[...]

"The producer of the documentary recommends that children as young as 10 should see this movie. Gangs and cartels are targeting even younger children now. Shockingly, eight year olds are the new cartel target for drug addiction. Every child is at risk." [...]

From the open publishing newswire: On Monday, December 10th, various organizations from the ACT for Justice and Dignity network held a rally and press conference to call on Multnomah County Sheriff Daniel Staton to stop honoring Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds. ICE holds and deportations are responsible for separating families and causing local and state governments to pay the cost for federal immigration enforcement. Local organizations have been working for years to stop the Multnomah County Sheriff from deporting people in our communities. After the meeting with organizers, Sheriff Staton said that he would announce his decision the following Monday at 3pm.

Today [12.17.12] activists returned to 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. to show their ongoing support towards ending collaborations between the Multnomah County Sheriff and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Earlier in the day, a group that included Commissioner Amanda Fritz had met with Sheriff Staton and expected a follow-up response at 3pm. A number of people gathered on the ground floor where the Portland Radical Choir sang revised Christmas carols, harmoniously calling for an end to deportations. At 3pm the group went up to Sheriff Staton's office, crowding the lobby and spilling into the hallway. The sheriff was a no-show at press time, opting instead to send two representatives, one of whom remarked (emphasis mine):

"He (Sheriff Staton) feels like for today he's made his statements and received your information," adding "He has more information to consider now."

Not at all satisfied with his I-don't-feel-like-it-attitude, members of the crowd insisted that Sheriff Staton come out to speak to them directly, and the Radical Choir kept everyone entertained as his representatives were sent to try and summon him from his office. The sheriff still refused to show and it was clear that he had no interest in addressing the community, even though he had confirmed that he would during the previous meeting. [...]

Related PIMC VIDEO POSTS
[1.] VIDEO: Sheriff Staton Fails To Respond To Citizens On ICE Holds On 12/17
[2.] VIDEO: Sheriff Staton NO SHOW and the ICE Holds continue - Portland Oregon 12.17.12

From the open publishing newswire: On human rights day in Portland Oregon, protesters and local activists occupied three key locations with one of them being the east Multnomah building in southeast Portland where they aimed to hold Sheriff Daniel Staton accountable for the county ICE immigration holds that target hispanic americans as well as other minorities and often times ends in deportation and separation of familys.

joeanybody.com Report-Back Newswire

The california law that has now spread into federal law, mandates that those deemed "suspicious" of being illegal aliens be subject to federal INS holds under the "discression" of the county, and is not mandatory. Over 100 people attended this rally and demonstration, and all of them proceeded to enter the building as it was verified that Sheriff Staton was in his office. A conference was arranged by a staff member and delegates met with him to discuss his role in placing the ICE holds and to ask him to stop the federal-county collaborations. County Commission Chair Jeff Cogen was also notified and came down to address the mass of citizens with a positive statement. This action was organized by Portland Jobs With Justice, ACT, Dream Activists, VOZ, PCASC, and other Portland Occupiers. A decision will be made on monday 12/17 by Sheriff Staton and protesters plan to rally once again at 3pm in hopes that his decision will be to not comply any longer with ICE holds.

Video Links:

Trailer (Short) | Sheriff Staton Meeting Video | Full Length Video

From the open publishing newswire: On monday a crowd of over 70 protesters assembled at the Multnomah building in southeast Portland to rally and show Sheriff Daniel Staton that they are disappointed that he is honoring ICE (INS) holds on what is mostly latino detainees. A group of delegates entered the building and proceeded to Sheriff Statons' office to deliver a message. Inydmedia was exlusive in filming and photographing this amazing action which was a success!

StreetNews Report:

Local Portland activists held a large rally to stop the ICE immigration holds that are now enforced by not only Portland, but cities and states nationwide. This early rally was held at the Multnomah Building in southeast Portland, the hub of operations for the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and over 70 people were present with no presence of the mainstream media.

Video Link:

Sheriff Staton: Stop The ICE Holds - Rally

From the open publishing newswire: Coinciding with the International Day of the Migrant, immigrants and allies will take to the streets in a permitted, family-friendly rally and march. This will be an opportunity to join with the Occupy movement, and send a strong message against the racist laws, policies and institutions that are systematically targeting immigrant communities, such as Secure Communities, E-verify, wage theft, free trade agreements and increased detentions and deportations.

We reject the scapegoating of immigrants in the same way we refuse to blame Muslims, the poor, public sector workers, women, and other victims of this recession. We blame the recession on those who caused it, the most wealthy 1%. The 1% want immigrants to have zero rights so that they are easily exploitable and can be paid slave wages, thus lowering the wages of all working people.

When: Saturday, December 17 | 10 am Rally & 11 am March
Where:South Park Blocks between SW Salmon and Main

homepage: http://www.pcasc.net

Related Video Post

From the open publishing newswire: The Portland Central America Solidarity Committee (PCASC) and the Launch Pad Gallery announce "CRIMINALES TODOS", a provocative group exhibition featuring work by emerging local talent. Launch Pad gallery will host the opening night reception on December 10th starting at 6pm. The evening will also include performances from local and national musicians, dancers, and spoken word artists as well as video testimonies from local residents describing their experiences with police.

Confronting the inflammatory politics targeting immigrants in recent years including increased police surveillance, tightened border control, and the heightened incidence of racial profiling across the country, organizers view the show as a platform from which to explore the impacts of discrimination as well as how communities are responding to stop the hate. The exhibit features artwork from dozens of local artists through various mediums, including a mural designed by El Grupo Juvenil that was featured in the groundbreaking documentary, Papers, produced in Portland, Oregon.

Launch Pad Gallery is located at 534 Southeast Oak Street, Portland, OR 97214. The exhibit runs from December 10th to December Jan 3rd. CRIMINALES TODOS (WE ARE ALL CRIMINALS) is a traveling community art exhibit aiming to inspire an ongoing dialogue and examination of the social, political and cultural issues related to the criminalization of communities of color. More information can be found at the blog: criminalestodos.tumblr.com. pcasc.net

From the open publishing newswire: CRIMINALES TODOS is a travelling community art exhibit aiming to inspire an ongoing dialogue and examination of the social, political and cultural issues related to the criminalization of communities of color. From post-Civil War vagrancy laws targeting newly freed African Americans in the South, to police rounding up Japanese Americans and sending them to internment camps during WWII, to SB1070 targeting Latinos in Arizona; the history of police targeting communities of color has deep roots in American history.
CALL FOR ARTISTS

Criminales Todos
A Community Art Exhibit
December 10th -17th, 2010
Opening Reception: Dec. 10, 2010
Launch Pad Gallery: 534 SE Oak Street, Portland, OR 97214
Submissions Deadline: Dec. 1, 2010


In times of increased police surveillance, tightened border control and the implementation of anti-immigrant and racist laws across the country, we encourage artists to engage in a conversation about the devastating repercussions of policing and the militarization in our local communities.

Artists of all backgrounds are invited. Our aim is to create a space for conversation against the long standing practices of repression, and the impact of unjust and discriminatory practices. The exhibit is a platform from which to explore the marginalization of communities of color, and how to build solidarity and resistance to discrimination and oppression. Please join us.

Related topics include, but are not limited to:
- Effects of local enforcement programs in our local communities.
- Personal and/or collective experiences with detention and deportation systems.
- Racial profiling and institutionalized racism.
- Intersection of criminalization of resident communities of color and newly arrived immigrants.
- Anti-immigrant sentiment.
- Historical and contemporary forms of popular resistance to human rights abuses.

[H]omepage:  http://criminalestodos.tumblr.com/

From the open publishing newswire: On the day that the controversial immigration law SB 1070 was introduced in Arizona, over a hundred people demonstrated in Holladay Park against the new law. Portland, Oregon, 29/07/2010

Originally the Act was signed into law by Governor of Arizona Jan Brewer on April 23rd 2010 and it came into effect today ninety days after the end of the legislative session. Shortened to either Arizona Senate Bill 1070 or SB 1070 it is otherwise known as the 'Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighbourhoods Act.'

Members of local collective B Media staged a 'Wedding of the Doomed' in front of the media and demonstrators to symbolise the marriage between the local law enforcement agencies and ICE (Immigration and customs enforcement). The marriage wouldn't have been right without some community intervention, which ended up stealing the show and standing up against the marriage of ICE and the Police.

From the open publishing newswire: Communique from Freedom for Arizona posted on Az Indymedia.

*Partial justice is no justice at all! Despite Judge ruling to block parts of SB 1070, racial-profiling, raids, deportations and the militarization of the border will continue unchallenged. This is why today we shut down Interstate 19 (I-19)*

*Sigue en espa**ñol abajo:*

*DIRECT ACTION DISRUPTS ARIZONA RACISM!*


[ Arizona Indymedia link:  http://tinyurl.com/22n8vks ]
[ Portland Protest Announcement:  http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2010/07/401204.shtml ]

From the open publishing newswire: Two events will be held in Oregon on Saturday, May 29th:

Salem March and Rally
Capitol Building, 11am
Coordinated by CAUSA and others.

Portland March and Vigil (with speakers and music)
SW 3rd and Madison, 5pm
Coordinated by the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition
and Portland May Day Coalition

For more information:
SALEM: (503) 984-6816,  http://www.causaoregon.org
PORTLAND: (503) 233-6787,  http://maydaypdx.blogspot.com
Email  maydayoutreach@gmail.com to get involved.

From the open publishing newswire:

From the open publishing newswire: JOBS FOR ALL: Immigrants' Rights Are Workers' Rights!
On May 1st, International Workers' Day, Portland labor, immigrant, and community groups will come together to demand comprehensive immigration reform. Organizers aim to connect the many issues facing workers and the poor.
Celebrate International Workers' Day
Saturday, May 1st
South Park Blocks (SW Park and Salmon)

11am: Sign-Making, Entertainment
12pm: Rally
1pm: March

May Day has a rich history going back to the fight for an eight-hour workday. In Portland in 2006 we saw the largest mobilization in Portland's history with estimates of up to 40,000 people in attendance. Now, faced with a deepening economic crisis and increasing attacks on workers and immigrants, it is time for our movements to come together and support each other in the struggle for economic justice.