October 28 is celebrated in some quarters as National Immigrants Day, designed to coincide with the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty in 1886. The day was established in 1987 by Ronald Reagan to honor the contributions of immigrants and celebrate the resilience, diversity and culture that immigrants bring to the country and to encourage more inclusive policies. 

We certainly aren't among those who want to celebrate Reagan – whose administration initiated many of the policies which have become so destructive and extreme. But the cruel anti-immigrant policies we see playing out in our communities today tell you how far the Republican Party has regressed over 38 years. But there are millions standing up against this repression!

Our new poster is designed for community centers, businesses, faith communities, schools and other institutions that want to communicate a clear message that the brutal and illegal assault on immigrants is anti-democratic and unacceptable. It offers a message of welcome to immigrants and refugees and a show of resistance to the powers of repression and authoritarianism.

The poster is designed to support the remarkable on the ground organizing led by the Workers Center of Central New York here in our community and similar organizations across the country. As a result of their organizing work, some people are protected and ICE's work is stymied. Of course, it's not enough, at least not yet. But our power is growing and we need to continue that momentum.

¡Pa´lante! (onward),

Andy Mager
SCW Coordinator

PS: ¡Pa´lante! - Onward! - Glimpses of Immigrant Stories is a booklet of excerpts from a remarkable collective story telling project of immigrant workers here in our region.

Check out the poster and related products: https://syracuseculturalworkers.com/collections/immigration