Struggle defeats Mass. anti-immigrant provisions

Students and youth in the Student Immigration Movement spearheaded a dynamic struggle called Mass Hope 2010 that won a significant victory for immigrant rights.

SIM leader Lai Wa Wu addresses vigil participants. Photo: SIM

On June 9 the Massachusetts Senate passed a series of amendments to the state budget bill that were virulently anti-immigrant, racist and punitive. Included were an anonymous hotline to report anyone suspected of being undocumented or any employer suspected of hiring undocumented workers and strict provisions to prevent undocumented workers from receiving any benefits, including basic health care, housing benefits and in-state tuition at Massachusetts public colleges.

On June 10 at 6 p.m. SIM students and youth and their allies began a 24/7 vigil on the steps of the Massachusetts State House, vowing to stay until all the anti-immigrant provisions were dropped. The vigil was also in solidarity with the 24/7 vigil underway at the Arizona Statehouse since April 24 protesting the racist anti-immigrant Arizona law SB 1070, which is scheduled to go into effect at the end of July.

The around-the-clock vigil included press conferences, rallies, demonstrations, workshops, speakouts and lobbying inside the Statehouse. Support for and participation in the vigil continued to grow, involving dozens of immigrant rights, community and progressive organizations and groups, which participated by taking vigil shifts, conducting workshops and discussions, and forming strong links of solidarity.

On June 15 all the forces involved in the vigil joined with unions and others for a 200-strong demonstration at Fenway Park where the Arizona Diamondbacks opened a series against the Boston Red Sox. Heavy media coverage of this demonstration raised consciousness about the struggle.

On June 21 the students held a press conference in which they delivered more than 1,000 petition signatures opposing the anti-immigrant amendments to legislators at the State House. On June 22 another large rally was held.

Activity continued throughout the week until June 25 when Mass Hope 2010 and SIM held a press conference announcing that the final budget reflected a victory — all the anti-immigrant language and provisions were removed except those that reflect current practice. The students announced they were ending the vigil and held a final celebration. But the movement they organized is continuing, and will fight the Arizona laws and all other attacks on immigrant rights.

Commenting on the significance of the struggle, SIM leader Lai Wa Wu said, “SIM could not have achieved this victory without the massive community-based coalitions that came together to fight against anti-immigrant sentiments. The fight for immigrant rights isn’t a fight only for undocumented communities; it is a fight for the dignity and respect for all people — citizens and noncitizens alike. We know this is only the beginning, and there will be many more battles to come, but as long as our community stays in solidarity together, we will win.”