By Ivy Quicho, AF3IRM Organizing Director
Organizing@gabnet.org
951-333-4306


AF3IRM Leaders March on Phoenix Capitol Building to Demand Repeal of SB1070

Phoenix, Arizona. Leaders from AF3IRM, formerly known as GABNet, joined the  May 28 National Day of Action in Phoenix, Arizona, to demand the repeal of the recently-passed law SB 1070, legalizing the racial profiling of immigrants and heightening the attacks on immigrant communities.

AF3IRM leaders marched to reiterate their May Day call: If anyone is good enough to work here, then she/he is good enough to stay here! Further, AF3IRM highlighted the specific plight of Filipino women and the danger that SB 1070 poses to Filipinas, who come to the U.S. in search of a better life and whose remittances keep the entire Philippine economy afloat.

AF3IRM joined a militant contingent composed of ANSWER Coalition organizations, the Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines, Kabataang Maka-Bayan, and PSL.

"The march was historic. In the face of counter-protesters and extreme weather, women were relentless in the effort to make sure our stories were included in this struggle," said Angela Bartolome, AF3IRM Los Angeles coordinator.

T he mass protest of more-than 50,000 people indicates widespread opposition to SB 1070 and all attacks on migrants/immigrants, including Obama's recent call to further militarize the US-Mexico border.

"As women of Filipino descent we know all too well the devastating effects of militarization – poverty, environmental degradation, and increased trafficking and prostitution of women and children," said Jollene Levid, AF3IRM Secretary General. "Sadly, profits do not seem to have any taint of color even when they are drawn from our labor and our bodies. The same people who excoriate us for not being white gladly take the wealth created by our labor and from our bodies."

The AF3IRM members vow to continue sending their militant message of protest to both the Arizona and Obama administrations. "We will not tolerate racist attacks and will remain vigilant in holding the government accountable to the women and to the people," Ms. Levid added.

AF3IRM, whose membership is composed of and led by immigrant and transnational Filipino women, will take to the streets until SB 1070 and all immigrant and woman-hating policies are repealed. -# # #