This Wednesday, various organizations, leaders, and politicians will take to the streets and march to express their solidarity with migrants and to recognize and defend their contributions worldwide, particularly in California.
This year, the theme for International Migrants Day is “Honouring the Contributions of Migrants and Respecting their Rights.” This theme couldn’t be more timely given the attacks and threats made by elected President Donald Trump against the undocumented community in the United States.
“This International Migrants Day, we’re taking to the streets to send a loud and clear message to the rest of the nation: immigrants are welcome here,” said Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez through social media.
She, along with elected officials in Los Angeles, has fought hard to implement initiatives to shield California from the mass deportations that Trump has threatened.
Los Angeles and other cities in California have declared many cities as ‘sanctuaries’ for immigrants. They have also implemented mechanisms for immigrants at risk to find legal support in case they are affected by Trump’s measures.
“International Migrants Day gives us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It’s also a day for us to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurs. Conflicts, climate-related disasters, and economic pressures continue to drive millions of people from their homes in search of safety or simply opportunity,” says the United Nations, and adds, “This past year, we saw record levels of internal displacement, rising humanitarian needs across ongoing and new crises, and, tragically, the highest-ever death toll of migrants in transit. Yet, alongside these challenges, are stories of resilience, progress, and hope. Where safe and well-managed migration holds extraordinary potential. Migrants play critical roles in labor markets, filling skills gaps, driving innovation and entrepreneurship, and addressing demographic challenges in aging societies. Migrants boost economic growth and provide a lifeline to families and communities back home, driving development.”
In Los Angeles, two marches will be held. One will begin at Olvera St (125 Paseo de la Plaza) at 10 a.m. and will march through Downtown to end in front of the LA Detention Center (535 Alameda St). Another will start at 4 p.m., with the Day Laborer Network marching from City Hall to the LA Detention Center.
The teachers’ union, other labor organizations, and unions have announced their participation. There will also be a mass held in honor of the migrants.
The Women’s March Action announced its participation along with @chirla.
“During the last few years, we have confronted the devastating consequences of the first Trump administration, which led to the fall of Roe v. Wade, threatening countless lives as reproductive care became out of reach for many. Undocumented women, in particular, have faced daunting barriers, living in fear of deportation while seeking essential care.
“As we prepare to face a second Trump administration, we stand united in the fight ahead. Our immigrant communities—especially women and their families—will face even greater challenges from hateful, anti-immigrant policies.
“But we will not back down. Together, we will protect our communities, resist hate, and defend our progress to keep families together, expand healthcare access, and create pathways to safety and opportunity!” said this organization on Instagram.
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