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Immigrant Rights (continued from Page 1)

sought to cut off public aid to undocumented workers. The same businessowners (and their pandering politicians) who refuse to pay livable wages, began to dismantle "safety nets" for the poor, many who are immigrants. (They are surely inheritors of industrialist who fought against the eight-hour work day - that led to the May 1 strike of 1886).

Today's anti-immigrant forces - from the Minute Men to neo-liberal activists - argue that the issue isn't about race or religious prejudice, but rather about economic necessity and "population stabilization". But even these argument, at heart, are racist. The implication is that one sort of person is somehow superior to another. That one's own child (or tribe) is inherently more valuable that another's.

Such nonsense is the antithesis of humanity and the principles enshrined in this experiment called "America".

Our Declaration, Constitution and tremendous statue-gift from the people of France stand for the rights of all people to enjoy inalienable rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This, is the dream and hope of America.

Immigrants, whether recently arrived or on this continent for hundreds of years, shall be treated with equal dignity and value. From the language (no person is "illegal") that is used to refer to undocumented workers to the policies regarding their housing, healthcare, education and livelihoods, all people should be given the full benefits of participation in, and contribution to, society. No one should live in fear or needlessly face prejudice because of where they happened to be born.

Texans for Peace, as followers of peace and social justice, will stand firmly by anyone who faces discrimination and work to build up, rather than tear down, families. We will continue to counter and oppose anti-immigrant legislation, the criminalization of immigrant communities, the militarization of the Texas border, the detention and deportation of immigrants, while showing friendliness by making room for all of our fellow Texans.

We will gently counsel our anti-immigrant neighbors and work with others to build bridges to one another rather than building walls. And, we will march for the rights of immigrants because we also remember what it's like to be a stranger in a new land.

Peace,

Charlie Jackson
Texans for Peace

LAST WEEK: On Earth as it is in Texas