Candidates exposed on war and immigrant workers

The immigrant rights and anti-war movements sent strong messages to the Democratic presidential candidates in Chicago this week: they aren’t willing to wait for the elections to get what they want.

On Aug. 2, a 40-person delegation from Pueblo Sin Fronteras and La Familia Latina Unida visited the campaign offices of Democratic presidential frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama with signs, chants and a statement demanding immediate action to stop raids, deportations, and the separation of families.

U.S.-born children whose parents have been deported delivered the statement to the Adams Street campaign office of Sen. Obama (D-IL) and then to the LaSalle Street office of Sen. Clinton (D-NY). As the group marched on the sidewalk, the children chanted “Born in the USA—Don’t take my mommy and my daddy away!”

The statement was signed by Elvira Arellano, president of La Familia Unida, who faces deportation; Rev. Walter Coleman, pastor of the Adalberto United Methodist Church which is providing Ms. Arellano with sanctuary; and Emma Lozano, president of Pueblo Sin Fronteras.

The statement read in part: “While the debate in the Senate [over immigration reform] may have stalled, the actions of the government have not. The escalation surge of raids, deportations and separations of families, the imposition of sanctions and prosecutions, is in effect. ... [T]hese policies are driving 20 million people into an underground of fear and exploitation.

“We note that Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama ... have said they would, as President, work to pass comprehensive immigration reform. ... We have heard such promises before every election. ... What we need is safe harbor for our children and our families, not safe harbor for our candidates. What we need is action this September.”

On Aug. 7, anti-war activists set up a banner at Soldier Field, where thousands of union members were attending the debate among Democratic candidates. Their thirty-foot banner read, “Stop funding war and occupation! Troops out now!”

The action was initiated by the Chicago Coalition against War and Racism and Chicagoland Code Pink, with the message: “Not one more day—not one more death—not one more dollar—not one more excuse.”