Later that day, we held a teach-in led by Professor Carleen Basler, who discussed the bill and its implications to us as students and to the nation at large. We have gathered over 300 petitions signed by Amherst College students and this weekend, we hosted a panel discussion with three seniors, who discussed their thesis research surrounding various immigrant issues. Similar events have been held at each of the Five Colleges. We feel that we have given ample opportunity for students to educate themselves on this important issue currently being discussed across the nation. If you are still uninformed, I would highly encourage you to look further into the issue as it affects every single one of us because this nation was built by immigrants. However, simply educating oneself is certainly not enough.
This article is a call to action. The coalitions formed on April 10 have been organizing for May 1st, the National Day Without an Immigrant, also being called The Great American Boycott of 2006. This day is centered around the actions of No Buying, No Selling, No School and No Work as a way of disrupting the nation and denouncing the HR4437 bill.
On May 1, The Western Massachusetts May 1 Coalition is organizing a rally on the Amherst Town Common from noon until 2 p.m. As a coalition in solidarity with immigrant communities nation wide, we are asking that professors show their support by cancelling classes, and that all students wear white and join us outside of Valentine at 11:30. We will then walk as a group to the town common where various students, activists, community leaders, poets and community members will speak out against the xenophobic legislation bill HR4437. Each of the Five Colleges is planning a similar act and is ordering extra PVTA busses to transport students to Amherst. We have at least 300 petitions which means that at one point 300 Amherst students committed themselves to this cause. As the school nearest to the location of protest, we believe that it is our responsibility to show the largest support. We challenge the Amherst college community to have at least three hundred people join us in this protest. A large turnout has the ability to dramatically change the atmosphere of the event. The movements and demonstrations in the area against HR4437 have already gained recognition and momentum and we have recently been contacted by The New York Times who has shown interest in covering our May 1 event.
We have had many Amherst students ridicule us for taking action and many have stated that there is no reason for a protest since they are in agreement with us. To this we respond by challenging you. If you believe in this cause, simply stating your belief is futile. Action must be taken, as it does bring results. Look at the evidence: In response to mass protests nation wide, Congress has reconsidered the bill. On May 1, we will demand comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship (not just a temporary guest worker program), family reunification measures, worker protection and full rights for all immigrants. We challenge you, members of an enlightened institution of higher education, to join us in action in favor of human rights and human decency. This is a responsibility that belongs to every one of us. For more information, go to www.immigrantsolidarity.org. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your senators and congressmen to let them know that you are not in support of this bill. Go to www.congress.org. If you would like to be a part of this national movement, contact La Causa (lacausa@amherst.edu). Let us collectively make history.
Written on behalf of La Causa and the Chicano Caucus
Flores can be reached at aflores08@amherst.edu