BAYAN PNW Mobilizes for Immigration Reform

Communities around the nation mobilize to call on President Obama and Congress to finally create and pass legislation that:

• Encompasses fair pathways to citizenship for over 11 million undocumented immigrants
• Reunites the nearly 4.3 million family members that are waiting in family visa backlogs
• Ends the criminalization of immigrants through state anti-immigration laws and government programs like Secure Communities
• And establishes just and humane labor protections and workers rights for all immigrant workers who are some of the most exploited workers in the U.S.

In the Philippines, 4,500 people leave every day to find employment abroad as unfair trade agreements and economic policies perpetuate a backwards, agrarian, pre-industrial economy that serve to benefit U.S. imperialism and the local ruling classes (1%). In an ever worsening global economic crisis, the exploitation of our people in our homeland and more than 9.5 million Filipinos overseas intensifies. And in the U.S., a broken immigration policy works in conjunction with the Philippine government’s Labor Export Policy (LEP) to further oppress im/migrant Filipinos and their families. Our struggle for National Democracy in the Philippines is thus linked to the struggle for genuine immigration reform in the U.S.

Join BAYAN PNW as we mobilize to call for comprehensive immigration reform:

Wednesday May 1 

Seattle
May 1st March for International Workers Day
Gather at 2:30PM, March at 3:00PM
API & Youth Contingent meeting at 20th and Jackson (the old Hidmo)
Contact Jill Mangaliman for more information: j.a.mangaliman@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/events/287362871396596/

Portland
Gather at 2:00 PM, Rally at 3:00 PM, March at 4:00 PM
O’Bryant Square – 9th and Stark.
Contact Justin Katigbak for more information: Katigbak.j@gmail.com

Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5

Bellingham 
The 1st March for Dignity
Caravan and Farmworkers visit: May 4 (leaves Seattle at 9am)
March- May 5, 10 am 5974 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA 98225
Contact  Jill Mangaliman: j.a.mangaliman@gmail.com to join the Seattle solidarity caravan
https://www.facebook.com/events/160018014156945/

Pin@y sa Seattle Stands with Striking Walmart Workers

Hundreds of protesters came to the Walmart in Renton WA to support the striking workers on Black Friday. Photo taken by Nicole Ramirez.

Today, Pin@y sa Seattle joined hundreds of protesters outside the Walmart store in Renton to support associates who were striking for living wages and better benefits. As part of the BAYAN-USA PNW contingent – together with Anakbayan Seattle, Alay ng Kultura, and Philippine US Solidarity Organization - Pin@y members stood in the pouring rain and handed out hot coffee to the protesters and workers.

The protest was led by Washington YELL (Young Emerging Labor Leaders) in coordination with other actions happening at Walmart stores around the country on Black Friday. Walmart, an employer of 1.4 million people, has been notorious for not paying livable wages, setting irregular hours, and offering substantial working conditions. Associates are speaking out, but Walmart continues union-busting and denying that changes need to be made. For this reason, Pin@y sa Seattle will continue to stand up with Walmart associates until they are granted the rights that all workers deserve.

BAYAN-USA PNW released this statement:

We already know that Walmart makes huge profits, not only because their purchasing practices drive out small businesses, but also because they skimp on fair wages and benefits for their workers. Many of our uncles and aunties work at the Renton Walmart and have decided to strike back along with other Wal-Mart workers around the nation!

BAYAN PNW is officially endorsing the Walmart strikes this Black Friday. The struggle for economic justice is deeply tied to the struggle for National Democracy. The average full-time Walmart worker earns about $15,500 annually. At that wage, how can our uncles and aunties afford a home? Much less anything else? As the largest private employer in the world, Walmart is setting a terrible standard.

BAYAN-USA PNW at Walmart Workers Strike. Photo taken by Ron Antonio

Thank you to everyone who spent Black Friday supporting Walmart workers. Please view this powerful video, which tells their story: “Why are we standing up to live better?“: http://bit.ly/UduJt3

Also, check out this KIRO Radio article by Brandi Kruse: Walmart workers join Black Friday protests across Puget Sound (BAYAN PNW is featured in the photo!) and How to Change Walmart Tumblr, where folks are posting pictures from other Walmart protests that are happening around the country. Please support the associates at Walmart as they fight for their rights as workers. Thank you.