PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Pittsburgh Welcomes Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride
by Quinten Wednesday, Oct. 01, 2003 at 12:55 AM
quinten@indypgh.org (email address validated)

Pittsburghers and freedom riders stand vigil at Freedom Corner, across from St, Benedict the Moor Church in the Hill District.

vigil.jpg, image/jpeg, 640x479

Singing "We Shall Overcome," 200 marched through Pittsburgh's Hill District, from Hill House to Freedom Corner.

Invoking the memory of the freedom rides of the 1960s, the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride demands recognition of the plight of immigrant workers; calling for basic protection of civil rights, a clearer road to citizenship, the ability to reunite families, and better protection of rights on the job.

Pittsburgh was just one stop on the way for a tour that will cover more than 100 cities, with 1,000 Freedom Riders setting forth from San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Houston, Minneapolis, Miami, and Boston. The rides will all end with a day of lobbying in Washington, DC and a rally in New York City.

A coalition of Pittsburgh labor, student, civil rights, religious and student groups planned for the Pittsburgh stop. Councilman Sala Udin (Hill District) sponsored a City Council proclamation in support of the Freedom Ride. Udin was one of the original Freedom Riders.

www.iwfr.org

add your comments