In New York and Other Cities, Protesters Declare—

“#Defend DACA: Immigrants are #Heretostay!”

August 31, 2017 | Revolution Newspaper | revcom.us

Fox News announced on Thursday, August 31, that White House officials are saying Trump intends to announce as early as Friday that he is putting an end to the DACA program—Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump’s decision has been expected; Republican attorneys general in ten mostly Southern states had announced they will go to federal court on September 5 if Trump has not ended DACA by then.

A thousand or more young protesters took to the streets of New York City Wednesday, August 30, in anger and defiance, demanding the Trump/Pence regime keep its hands off DACA. Many of those who marched were “Dreamers,” undocumented young people brought to the U.S. as children who, through DACA, have been given legal work permits, Social Security numbers, and temporary relief from deportation. Ending DACA will put 800,000 Dreamers in danger of being kicked out of the place they grew up in, separated from their families and friends, and forced to end their education.

Organized by Make the Road New York, the New York Immigration Coalition and a number of other immigrants’ rights organizations and dozens of others including several unions—the march drew hundred of immigrants from dozens of countries—from Mexico and other parts of Latin America, to the Middle East, South Asia to Korea, including youth facing possible deportation if DACA is ended and many, many others standing with immigrants.

The marchers rallied at Columbus Circle near Trump International Hotel. From there they marched to Trump Tower. Protesters carried signs such as “#Defend DACA, Immigrants are #Heretostay,” and “Deport Trump,” and chanted “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here,” while pounding on drums. Refuse Fascism was in the mix, distributing the Call for Nov. 4: NO! NOVEMBER 4—IT BEGINS! This Nightmare Must End: The Trump/Pence Regime Must Go! In the Name of Humanity, We REFUSE to Accept a Fascist America!

The spokesperson for Make the Road New York said:

There’s been a threat by President Trump that at any moment he might take this program away. What we’re trying to say today is this program is lifeblood to the immigrant community, and touching it is an act of war against Latinos and immigrants in the United States.

One of the protesters was quoted saying, “How dare we demonize them. We don’t turn our backs on people in need. That’s not what we’re about. So even if our president feels that way, we’re here to say we’re better than that.”

A day earlier, a rally was held in front of City Hall in Sacramento, California, which included students, teachers, the mayor, and other elected officials. And in Los Angeles, CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) is leading a week of activities opposing the end of DACA. These protests come on the heels of demonstrations in 40 cities across the country on August 15, the fifth anniversary of the implementation of DACA.

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