***For Immediate Release*** Farmworkers and Supporters Declare Civil Rights=Immigrant Rights at VT DMV Getting Brand New VT Driver's Licenses And Commemorating Legacy of MLKFarmworkers step out of VT milking parlors onto the road Burlington and Montpelier VT-January 17, 8am-- On Friday January 17th, dozens of Vermont farmworkers and supporters stood in front of the DMV offices of Montpelier and Burlington VT, singing civil rights era songs to mark MLK weekend by celebrating a new VT law allowing access to driver's licenses regardless of immigration status.
Boston Contacts: Lily Huang, Massachusetts Jobs with Justice, 617-599-6785. Conrado Santos, Student Immigrant Movement, 617-767-6935
As Senate Debates Reform, Immigrant Rights Groups Across New England Descend on ICE Regional Head Quarters in Mass for "Not One More Deportation" Action
VT Farmworkers, Cows and Friends Take "Not One More Danilo" Action to Mass
Senators Leahy, Sanders and Congressman Welch Join Vermonters to Stop VT Farmworker's Deportation
Lopez Submits Case for Prosecutorial Discretion with Strong Support
BURLINGTON, VT, 6/19/13-- Migrant Justice delayed plans to submit official documentation on Monday that calls upon ICE to utilize prosecutorial discretion to stop the deportation of migrant farmworker leader "Danilo" Lopez. Instead they worked to move Senator Leahy's office to join Senator Sanders and Representative Welch in writing a letter of support for Danilo Lopez's case. It was worth the wait.
Today, Senator Leahy's staff sent the letter of support to Migrant Justice. The letter reads, "Legislation pending before the Senate could potentially resolve Mr. Lopez's current immigration case...This legislation is currently being debated in the Senate, and is not expected to be enacted before Mr. Lopez's ordered date of departure, July 5th...I urge you to use prosecutorial discretion." In his letter Congressman Welch says of Danilo, “his strong ties to Vermont …his commitment to improving opportunities for farmworkers…is why I am joining many Vermonters in weighing on his behalf."
The national campaign kicked off with an on-line petition just last week and has quickly gathered nearly 2000 signatures (check out NEW campaign video below).
Saturday, December 10- Burlington, VT-- After being arrested and detained just 3 months ago Danilo Lopez was recognized for his work standing up for the human rights of Vermont's migrant workers at a big Human Rights Conference on Saturday. Upon receiving the award Lopez told the packed house of at least 300 Vermonters, who gave him a rowdy standing ovation, "Thanks to all the support and solidarity we are creating important human rights changes for all.
11/17/2011-Burlington, VT. The VT Migrant Farmworker Solidarity Project (VTMFSP) received a call just before a 5pm deadline on Thursday evening from Peter Welch's Washington desk confirming that Congressman Welch had just signed on to Congressman Serrano's letter to end the now widely discredited immigration program called "Secure Communities".
The VTMFSP has been calling upon Congressman Welch to do so for over a month rallying members and allies to place phone calls and send emails and ask Peter Welch to:
