NWFCO LAUNCHES THE FIRST NORTHWEST REGIONAL IMMIGRANT RIGHTS CONFERENCE!

In response to the growing anti-immigrant climate in the Northwest and around the country, over 300 people representing five different states and dozens of organizations gathered at the Boise State University for the first Northwest Immigrant Rights Conference on May 23 and 24, 2003. This landmark event was organized by NWFCO and CAUSA (Oregon’s statewide immigrant rights coalition) with support from ICAN, United Vision for Idaho, the Idaho Women’s Network, the Idaho Migrant Council, and the Comité Pro-Amnistía General y Justicia Social (based in Seattle, Washington).

The purpose of the gathering was to bring together immigrants and activists to develop a regional response to anti-immigrant policies and attacks on immigrant rights, as well as fight for a legalization program.

“It was great to see so many people coming to Idaho from so far away,” said Sara Goni, a member of ICAN. “Now we know that we have friends and allies from across the region who are fighting alongside us for immigrant rights.”

The conference opened with a welcoming by Gloria Muñoz, of United Vision for Idaho, and Sam Byrd, Director of the Idaho Migrant Council. Opening presentations were given by Primitivo Rodríguez, of the Coalition for Political Rights of Mexicans Abroad, and Luís Ureña, President of CONFENACA, the National Confederation of Dominican Farmworkers.

Saturday’s speakers included María Echaveste (representing the United Farmworkers of America), Primitivo Rodríguez, Pramila Jayapal (founder of the Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington), María Elena Durazo (President of the Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees Union Local 11), Eliseo Medina (International Executive Vice President of the Service Employees International Union), and the Honorable Victor López (Mayor of Orange Grove, California). Conference attendees also participated in numerous workshops on topics ranging from organizing immigrant workers, to post 9-11 attacks on immigrant rights, to increasing civic participation among immigrants. ICAN’s Adán Ramírez also gave an inspiring presentation on the real human struggle at the heart of the immigrant rights movement.

The conference resulted in a number of important resolutions. Participants unanimously agreed to form a Northwest Immigrant Rights network and to continue building a unified force for immigrant rights. The Youth Caucus also received unanimous support for a Northwest Youth Conference to be held next year in Boise.

Without a doubt, the fight for immigrant rights in the Northwest will continue. According to Ramón Ramírez, leader of CAUSA and President of PCUN (Oregon’s farmworkers’ union), “We can’t rely on anybody but ourselves to create change. If we want legalization we are going to organize and fight hard to obtain one.”