Freedom riders take immigration cause to halls of Congress

Published: 2003-10-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- After cross-country bus rides from 10 different cities, participants in the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride converged on Washington Oct. 2 with the goal of persuading members of Congress to take up their cause. "Never before in the history of our nation have immigrant workers done what you are doing today," they were told by AFL-CIO president John Sweeney at a rally. "Our nation must not turn a blind eye to the unjust and inhumane treatment of immigrant workers in this nation." Much of the organizational work behind the bus caravans came from various labor unions, but other organizers and supporters included leaders from Catholic and other churches, immigrants and civil rights groups, and social service agencies. About 900 riders from across the country and hundreds more supporters from the Washington area met Oct. 2 on the U.S. Capitol lawn, where they were addressed by a handful of members of Congress, Sweeney and immigrants who had arrived on the buses. Participants then fanned out on Capitol Hill to meet with their congressional representatives to ask for a legalization program and a path to citizenship for immigrant workers; for improved immigration processes for family reunification; and for civil rights protections for immigrants and natives alike.

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