The enactment of Senate Bill 4 presents a significant danger to undocumented immigrants, to people of Mexican descent in general, and to other people of color. This new “Show Me Your Papers Law” will lead to more unjustified deportations, more separation of families, more racial profiling, more violations of supposed constitutional rights, more unreported crimes, and more pain and misery for many people.
The Houston Police Department already has a long, ugly history of murdering and abusing people. Now HPD Chief Art Acevedo says he will make sure his officers enforce SB 4 even though he opposed its passage. To this, we can only say: Hell No! SB 4 is a racist, anti-worker law, and it should not be enforced! HPD should not serve as immigration agents! No more deportations! Stop breaking up families! End racial profiling! Stop police murders and brutality!
This action is being organized by Brown Berets de TejAztlan, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Houston Socialist Movement, Latinos Inmigrantes Triunfadores, MORENA-Houston SW, and Party for Socialism and Liberation (list in formation). If your organization would like to endorse this demonstration, or if you would like more information, please contact the organizers at 832.692.2306 or 281.935.9248 or Ryonboyw71@gmail.com.
The Rally will include some very special guest speakers, speakers from sponsoring organizations, poets/spoken word artists, music, banners and signs, chants, and the dramatic smashing of a Donald Trump piñata. This event is being organized by and for workers, whose labor makes life, society, and aspirations for a better future possible. Workers of all backgrounds are welcome. There will be no government officials or politicians on the platform.
Together, we will demand: Unite against Trump! Stop the deportations! Stop racist police terror! Black and Brown lives matter! Defend the Muslim community! Stop the attacks on women and the LGBT communities! Fight for $15/hour minimum wage, jobs for all, and the right to a union! Housing, health care, education, and retirement security for all! Stop the rise of fascism! End U.S. imperialist wars! Stop the destruction of Mother Earth! End capitalism before it ends us!
The Rally is part of a much larger set of actions across the country. A national coalition has called for a strike on May 1, and we encourage workers not to go to work, not to go to school, and not to go shopping tomorrow. In addition, a four-day boycott of Walmart will run through tomorrow, and there is an ongoing boycott of Wells Fargo over its role in the DAPL. We strongly support these actions, and we hope you will, too.
Parking will be available in the section of the Talento Bilingue Houston parking lot adjacent to South Jensen Street (not the rest of the TBH parking lot) and in the FiTMiX Yoga and Latin Fitness Studio parking lot at 2311 Canal Street. Restrooms will be available in TBH. If you would like more information or have any last-minute questions, please call us at 832.692.2306, 713.447.4106, 832.660.3084, or 281.935.9248.
The Harris County Democrats will also be protesting against Abbott. They contacted us weeks ago to discuss a possible combined action but then obtained a street closure permit exclusively for themselves. We will be there anyway, and our voices will be loud and strong. Only the masses of workers and oppressed people–not the Democrats or any other pro-business party–can bring about the fundamental social change we need.
Please also note that local neo-Nazi Ken Reed has called for a counter-demonstration against HSM at the same time and location. Reed says he isn’t really a “fanboy” of Abbott but “really despises” HSM, so the “American Patriot Vanguard” promises to be there. We sure hope so. It isn’t every day that we get to demonstrate against right-wing conservatives like Abbott and fascists like Reed at the same time! Although we do not expect any problems, Houston Jail Support will be available during the action. Contact us if you would like their phone number.
In Solidarity,