Los Angeles, CA – Parents here were fed up with garbage covered school grounds. So along with the Community Service Organization, they decided to do something about it. “Our schools should be as clean as those in the west side or as those of the rich,” said a CSO parent member. “Let's see their children digest education from a dirty, filthy plate.”

Los Angeles, CA – On Nov. 18, members of the New Raza Left and other community members came together to draft a list of demands for a campaign to make changes in the deplorable conditions of the Los Angeles public school system. The meeting identified three main areas of focus and came up with demands to be placed on the school district.

Los Angeles, CA – The New Raza Left Los Angeles, after summing up our last campaign against Proposition 21 has decided to now focus our organizing efforts on educational justice to improve the bad conditions in our schools. In the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) conditions have reached crisis levels.

Fight Back News Service presents the following statement

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Latinos Against War on the hunger strike for legalization. On April 24 the hunger strike entered its second day and a massive immigrant rights demonstration is planned for May 1.

Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from Latinos Against War.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrant workers and their supporters marched in cities around the U.S. on May 1, International Workers Day. The marchers' main demands were for immediate legalization for all undocumented immigrants and an immediate end to the wave of raids and deportations targeting Mexican, Latin American, and other immigrant workers.

Police Later Attack Second Rally at MacArthur Park

Los Angeles, CA – 100,000 enthusiastic demonstrators took the streets here May 1. Marching up Broadway to a mass rally at City hall, they demanded legalization for undocumented immigrant workers and an end to raids and deportations. The event was well organized and included security for the protest. The event was led by the March 25 Coalition, which has brought together dozens of community and labor groups, including Latinos Against War.

Los Angles, CA – The Los Angeles Police Commission hearing on May 8 drew hundreds of angry protesters demanding that Los Angeles Police Department officers be fired and prosecuted for attacking the peaceful Mexican/Latinos families gathered at Macarthur Park on May 1. Some called for the firing of Chief Bratton.

In the spring of 2006 millions of Latino and other immigrants rallied against the Sensenbrenner bill, HR4437, that would have criminalized the undocumented. This movement called for legal residency for the undocumented and opposed the Bush administration’s call for a guest worker program.

Los Angeles, CA – “The struggle continues for legalization and to beat back the new attacks of the Bush administration, including the new policy of beefing up ICE enforcement at worksites and further militarization the border,” says Carlos Montes, one of the organizers of the planned Aug. 18 mass march for immigrant rights. The L.A. march will start at noon at Olympia and Broadway. Large-scale civil disobedience is set for the same week

Los Angeles, CA – I met Elvira Arellano briefly on Aug. 18, at Los Angeles’s Placita Catholic Church, after our pro-immigrant rights march in downtown. I was tired but meeting her and her son Saulito energized and inspired me.

Chicago, IL – A hundred supporters of Elvira Arellano and her son Saul gathered here, Aug. 19, in the pouring rain outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. They were protesting the arrest and detention of Elvira earlier that day in Los Angeles. At a 10:00 p.m. emergency press conference, they demanded her freedom and to know her current location and status.

Los Angeles, CA – More than 4,000 people marched here, Aug. 18 in support of immigrant rights.

With Republicans leading the way, in June 2007 the U.S. Senate voted not to proceed with immigration reform. Some say it will take years to resolve. But we say no! We are angry that a just and complete immigration reform was not gained for the millions of families.

Los Angeles, CA – The We Are All Elvira & Saulito Unity Coalition held a successful protest here, Oct. 12, in front of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters, demanding an end to raids and deportations. The protest brought together many immigrant rights, religious, community and anti-war groups that have been active in the fight for the legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Los Angeles, CA – The battle is on. Attacks against immigrants are intensifying. There is an upturn in ICE raids, mass detentions and deportations. Jailing, beatings and killings by police and ICE agents continue, with hate crimes against Mexicans on the rise.

Minneapolis, MN – More than 300 immigrants and immigrant rights supporters marched on Lake Street through the heart of the Latino community, Feb. 16. The people filled the streets with chants of, “Si se puede!” (Yes we can!) and, “Pawlenty, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (Pawlenty, listen, we are in the struggle!).

Build a broad united front for immigrant rights

Fight Back! interviews Carlos Montes on the next steps in the struggle for immigrant rights. Montes is a veteran leader in the Chicano liberation movement and is an important leader in the struggle for immigrant rights.

Los Angeles, CA – Activists are mobilizing for a massive immigrant rights demonstration here May 1. The May Day Unity Coalition, which includes Latinos Against War, BAYAN-USA, International Action Center and the SEIU 721 Latino Committee are organizing a march on City Hall to demand full legalization, an end to raids and deportations, justice for immigrant workers and an end to the war in Iraq.