{news} GP RELEASE Greens blast anti-immigrant bills, urge repeal of NAFTA

[Justine McCabe]

> GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES
> http://www.gp.org
>
> For Immediate Release:
> Tuesday, April 11, 2006
>
> Contacts:
> Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, mclarty at greens.org
> Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene at greens.org
>
>
> Greens join protests against punitive anti-immigrant bills, urge repeal of 
> NAFTA
>
>
> WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Green Party candidates and members across the U.S. 
> have spoken out against proposed immigration bills, and are participating 
> in various rallies and other actions to protest punitive legislation, such 
> as House Bill 4437, directed at undocumented immigrants and those who 
> assist them.
>
> "We call on Congress and state legislatures to reject laws that turn 
> people into criminals for seeking a better life for themselves and their 
> families," said Carol Brouillet, Green candidate for Congress in 
> California's 14th District <http://www.carolforcongress.org>.  "Congress 
> should police those in high office who abuse power, rather than attack the 
> most vulnerable members of society who have been underpaid and exploited, 
> and have done the most back-breaking labor to put food on our tables."
>
> Many Green Party members support 'El Gran Paro Americano 2006: Un dia sin 
> immigrante' ('The Great American Boycott 2006: A day without an 
> immigrant') general strike and boycott planned for May 1 to demonstrate 
> the economic clout of immigrants <http://www.nohr4437.org>.
>
> "This country was founded on immigration," said Rae Vogeler, Wisconsin 
> Green candidate for U.S. Senate <http://www.voterae.org>, who attended a 
> rally in Madison in support of immigrant rights on April 10 and has spoken 
> out against two bills in her state, Wisconsin Senate Bill 657 and Assembly 
> Bill 69.  "With the exception of American Indians, we are all immigrants 
> or descendants of immigrants.  Yet, there are several bills at the state 
> and national level that will be devastating to immigrants, as well to 
> lower-income U.S. citizens.  These bills discriminate against those least 
> able to afford and obtain documentation of legal residency status, whether 
> they be immigrants, or citizens of the United States."
>
> Greens emphasized the role of international trade pacts, which benefit 
> corporate elites at the expense of labor, human rights, and environmental 
> protections, in recent immigration to the U.S.
>
> "If we're really concerned about the flow of new immigrants into the U.S., 
> we'd address the damage cause by NAFTA," said said Sundiata Tellem, 
> co-chair of the Green Party's national Black Caucus.  Mr. Tellem, a Texas 
> Green, is married to an immigrant.  "International trade authorities have 
> allowed transnational corporations to slash wages, disrupt other nations' 
> economies by dumping U.S. products on their markets, privatize water and 
> other public goods and services, and pollute the land.  Many new 
> immigrants, especially those who arrive impoverished and without 
> documentation, are fleeing nightmares in their home countries.  We urge 
> all Americans to stand up for their safety and for the rights of working 
> people who are already citizens of the U.S., and join the Green Party's 
> call for repeal of NAFTA and similar trade pacts."
>
> Green Party leaders also called for passage of immigrant reform 
> legislation, such as the American Families Act, which contains provisions 
> that allows families to unite, including same-gender couples and their 
> families.  Greens note that many people fleeing into the U.S. have done so 
> to escape sexual abuse, repression based on gender, and anti-gay and 
> anti-transgender violence.
>
> "Hostile anti-immigrant laws, walls along the border, workplace raids, and 
> armed vigilantes have put an ugly face on our nation," said Rebecca 
> Rotzler, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and an 
> indigenous American (Eskimo).  "America at its best welcomes those who 
> come here for economic security, political asylum, and escape from ethnic, 
> sexual, and religious discrimination."
>
>
> MORE INFORMATION
>
> Green Party of the United States
> http://www.gp.org
> 1700 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 404
> Washington, DC 20009.
> 202-319-7191, 866-41GREEN
> Fax 202-319-7193
>
>
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