http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/ox ... 95,00.html

Activists cite contributions of immigrants, urge more support
By Marjorie Hernandez, mhernandez@VenturaCountyStar.com
September 4, 2006



While other Ventura County residents spent Sunday barbecuing in their backyards or relaxing at local parks, some gathered in Oxnard for a Labor Day weekend event that recognized the contributions of immigrants to the American work force.

About 25 people attended the panel discussion at the Inlakech Cultural Center on West Fifth Street, which centered on immigrant laborers' fight for migrant rights.

The event, which was organized by the May Day Coalition, featured local and state community activists, including Nativo Lopez, president of the Mexican American Political Association; Peter Camejo, Green Party candidate for governor; Inlakech director Javier Gomez; Christian Ramirez, from the American Friends Service Committee in San Diego; Deisy Ibarra, MECHA representative; and Lauro Barajas, local representative for United Farm Workers.

Panelists spoke about the social and economic impact immigrants provide in America, while looking back at the anti-immigration laws of the past. They also urged the audience to continue their fight and support for immigrant rights.

"The goal of this event was to keep the issue of immigration rights in the forefront ... and not just yesterday's news," Gomez said. "We need to keep the community organized and let them know that there's still some changes that need to be made."

Camejo said state and federal legislators have far too often unfairly targeted immigrants who have contributed to the economy. While corporations and the wealthy continue to receive tax breaks, Camejo said, immigrant laborers are shouldering high taxes on meager pay. He said current immigration laws are comparable to the Jim Crow laws that prevented African-Americans from exercising the right to vote.

"What we are seeing is ... a racist campaign against the Latino community," Camejo said. "Our community is in no way harming America. We demand equal rights."

Lopez called for amnesty for immigrants who are already working and have established a life in America.

"They deserve amnesty ... what they don't deserve is to be contract laborers," Lopez said. "We need to continue to fight for what the people want."

Ramirez, who was born and raised near the U.S.-Mexico border, said militarization in that area has caused "a death to my community. We now have modern day Ku Klux Klan running around the border."

Ramirez said the immigration law currently in debate is a "policy of theft and militarization that undermines human rights."

A rally from the Inlakech Center to Plaza Park was planned after the panel discussion, but it was canceled at the last minute to allow audience members to ask panelists some questions.

Gomez said they anticipated more people would attend and said the turnout was probably affected by the holiday weekend.