A small but intent crowd gathered yesterday at SW Salmon and Park to underline the need for serious reform of federal immigration laws. Attendees included farmworkers, union members, church-goers, socialists and anarchists.

The mobilization coincided with a national Labor Day Weekend effort to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Congress has been deliberating the question of immigration reform since the severely anti-immigrant HR 4437 passed the House in December of 2005, only to meet with unprecedented grassroots opposition. Organizers from the Portland Immigrants Rights Coalition say they are not supporting any of the current forms of the legislation because they all contain measures that would introduce severe hardship on some, if not all, immigrants.

Following a short rally, the group marched around downtown Portland, chanting and waving flags of the United States, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and other countries of immigrant origin. The group tightened and gained energy and focus as it moved. It paused briefly to address the offices of GOP gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton, who has taken a strong anti-immigrant stance. Upon return, attendees set about to sign a huge fabric scroll that will be sent to Congress along with the PIRC's position statement.

More Info: Archive of Portland IMC's Immigration Coverage | IMC-US's Immigration Page | Overview of September Actions

Related: Recently Translated: Guy Debord on Immigration