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Migrant Solidarity Prevails in Santa Cruz

Published on July 22, 2006 in No Borders, Solidarity & Outreach

A group of racists who organize through the website “Illegal Immigrant Protest dot com” called for an “Illegal Immigrant Protest Rally” at the Town Clock in Santa Cruz on July 22nd. Peace and social justice activists from across Santa Cruz County put out a call for solidarity with migrants and to confront and educate the out-of-town “anti-alien” group. About 30 activists showed up in solidarity with migrants and 3 “anti-alien” protesters came to Santa Cruz to scapegoat problems in our society on people migrating from Mexico to the United States. Feeling far too outnumbered and unwelcome, the racists returned to their cars and drove back over the hill. Read more and view photos

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Developers Don’t Give A Fuck About Us

Published on July 9, 2006 in Environment, Globalization, Solidarity & Outreach

On July 9th, about 60 people paraded through downtown Santa Cruz as part of the international days of solidarity with the South Central Farm in Los Angeles. Marchers carried colorful anti-development signs and banners, handed out leaflets, taped posters up everywhere, and played improvised drums.

A majority of sidewalk onlookers were curious and willing to read the handouts, and a few joined in. The rally began at the clocktower and grew in numbers until spilling out on to Front St. Comfortably filling most of the asphalt, the assembly proceeded down Front to Laurel Street, turning to come back northward up the crowded Pacific Avenue drag and finally ending in a courtyard area across from the Post Office. Marchers congregated in the courtyard to listen to speakers, announcements, and a statement from the farmers, broadcasted from the mobile bike cart PA system. Read more and view photos

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Signs of Solidarity with the South Central Farm

Published on July 8, 2006 in Environment, Solidarity & Outreach

Santa Cruz activists have been busy like bees in preparation for Sunday’s rally in solidarity with South Central Farmers. Folks living in the Santa Cruz area, some of which have been down to the South Central Farm in Los Angeles, are inspired by the SCF and dedicated to spreading awareness and solidarity for the South Central Farmers; Campesinos that have been cultivating 14 acres of land and feeding hundreds of families in South Central LA for 14 years. On Saturday, July 8th, a day before the 2:00pm rally at the clock tower and march through Santa Cruz, signs and posters were created by artists and activists. Over 30 events in solidarity with the South Central Farm are taking place from July 7th-10th in locations ranging from Oakland and Chicago to Athens, Greece and Australia. Read more and view photos

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Santa Cruz Caravanistas On A Human Rights Mission To Cuba

Published on June 24, 2006 in Solidarity & Outreach

On June 24, peace and human rights activists spent their day at the Live Oak Grange preparing the Santa Cruz contingent of this years Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba. This is the 17th year our fellow community members have challenged the travel ban to Cuba as well as the inhumane embargo on Cuba by our government. Volunteers did a quality inspection of donated supplies before loading them onto the dontated Ambulance, former Police SWAT wagon, and Peace Mobile. Other people put their handprints onto the vehicles to demonstrate peace, friendship and solidarity from across the sea. Read more and view photos

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Cinco de Mayo Anti-Immigrant Rallies in Santa Clara

Published on May 5, 2006 in No Borders, Solidarity & Outreach

According to Illegal Immigrant Protest dot com, May 5th and 6th were a “National Illegal Immigrant Protest Rally Days.” Destroy the Border Coalition called for people to go out and counter the racist message of the rallies, saying, “The people who do the work in a community are entitled to live with dignity and without fear of violence and deportation. Undocumented workers are economic refugees from the countries that the U.S. has been exploiting for hundreds of years.”

Photos: 1 | 2 | Audio | more info

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May Day 2006 Rocks Santa Cruz County

Published on May 1, 2006 in No Borders, Solidarity & Outreach

On Monday, May 1st, International Workers Day, students and workers at UC Santa Cruz walked picket lines at the base of campus and west entrance to support the rights of immigrants and all people. In the United States, grassroots organizers of May Day 2006 called for a day of, “No Work, No School, No Buying, No Selling” to help illustrate the critical role that migrants play in the United States and global economy.

…thousands of Santa Cruz residents marched from the Beach Flats to the town clock and on to San Lorenzo Park. At the town clock, the march from the Beach Flats met up with thousands of people who marched from the base of the UCSC campus.

…an estimated 10,000 (or 12,000+) people marched through the streets of Watsonville to support the rights of immigrants and all people. From the Watsonville Plaza, people marched over the bridge to Pajaro and then up Main Street to Highway 152. The march then went through neighborhoods in the east side of Watsonville before returning to the Plaza. Read more and view photos

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