By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(© 2009 Journal Group Link International)

Filipino Americans to Join March for Immigrants on Sunday in Washington, D.C.

C HICAGO, Illinois (JGLi) – Two busloads of Filipinos and Filipino Americans will be leaving Saturday (March 20) for Washington, D.C., to join an expected 100,000 marchers from across the country dubbed the “March for America,” demanding from President Barack Obama and the U.S. Congress “to keep their promise to enact comprehensive immigration reform for new American families and insist that they act boldly to make the economy work for all American families.”

They are part of the 100 buses that will leave at 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, at 35th St. along Dan Ryan on Saturday en route to the nation’s capital.

“There is a planned ten-minute press conference, 2-3 speakers, and SEIU volunteers, manning the entrances of the White Sox stadium. The media is coming. There is now tremendous interest, especially UNOVISION, which should be covering the departure of 50, 60, 70 buses for the Dan Ryan bound for D.C.,” according to Juanita Salvador-Burris, an officer of Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE) that is organizing the Filipino contingent.

Suburban Skokie, Illinois, Commissioner Jerry B. Clarito said the two busloads of 110 riders will be leaving separately at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on board an AFIRE Bus No. 1 at KRCC, 2701 West Peterson Avenue and at 1414 East 59th Street, both in Chicago, Illinois, respectively, for a 13-hour trip to the nation’s capital.

They are due at the Drop-off/pick-up at RFK stadium in Washington, D.C., on Sunday (March 21) at 9 a.m.

They can join a mass to be celebrated by His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahoney, Archbishop of Los Angeles, California, at 11 a.m. at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, Upper Church 19 Eye Street, NW (corner of N. Capitol and I Street) Union Station Metro, according to an invitation of Washington, D.C.-based Atty. Arnedo Valera of the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) and other immigrants groups.

However, Mr. Clarito and Ms. Burris said the 100 busloads of riders from Chicago will be joining a 1 p.m. Invocation and Interfaith Service at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as they will be arriving only at 11 a.m.

At 2 p.m., there will be Opening remarks from speakers from all over, explaining “why are we here and telling their personal stories and demands.”

At 4 p.m., there will be call to action and closing remarks. At 5 p.m., the Convocation and March will start.

The bus riders will return to the Drop-off/pick-up at RFK stadium at 6 p.m. on their way back to Chicago, where they are expected to arrive Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Chicago community members Carlos Cortez and Marlon L. Pecson are excited to join the trip. Mr. Cortez, a member of the Philippine prosecution service in the Philippines and a recent Chicago immigrant, said “since this is the first time that I will setting my foot in the nation’s capitol, I’d like to join this community activity that will help fix the broken immigration system.”

Mr. Pecson, a long-time immigrant, for his part said, “it is about time, American leaders do something about the millions of undocumented who are living in the shadows although they are contributing to the national economy. In this year of the Census, immigrants and undocumented immigrants should all come forward and be counted so they will be properly represented.”

Sally Velasco who was about to go home to the Philippines to visit her brother who was in critical condition for several days had a last-minute change of plan when her brother recovered. “I was about to buy plane ticket and leave all my commitments here. I praise and thank God, he’s in stable condition.”

She said she can now join the trip to D.C., bringing with her, “one US flag, one AFIRE banner, two cases of water bottle (24 bottles in a case), a bunch of bread and cheeses, two rolls of paper towels. Plastic cups (if needed).”

There is also another bus-load of Filipino-American immigration-reform supporters from Philadelphia, PA. It is being organized by Apo Ernie Gange, who is coordinating the group’s efforts with Washington, DC-based lawyer, Ben Maynigo. To read an article about the Philadelphia group, please click on this link, Fil-Am “Reform Immigration for America” Task Force Will Join the “March for America”

T he “March for America” has become a big topic of conversation in D.C. when President Obama got wind of the event two weeks ago.

On Thursday (March 18), the White House issued the following:

“Statement by the President Praising the Bipartisan Immigration Reform Framework

“In June, I met with members of both parties, and assigned Secretary (of Homeland Security Janet) Napolitano to work with them and key constituencies around the country to craft a comprehensive approach that will finally fix our broken immigration system. I am pleased to see that Senators (Charles) Schumer (Dem.-NY) and (Lindsey) Graham (Rep.-S.C.) have produced a promising, bipartisan framework, which can and should be the basis for moving forward. It thoughtfully addresses the need to shore up our borders, and demands accountability from both workers who are here illegally and employers who game the system.

"My Administration will be consulting further with the Senators on the details of their proposal, but a critical next step will be to translate their framework into a legislative proposal, and for Congress to act at the earliest possible opportunity.

“I congratulate Senators Schumer and Graham for their leadership, and pledge to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue so we can continue to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform.”

In the marchers’ primer, it was disclosed that the 100,000 people will be attending an event that is “safe; it is legal; we have all the necessary permits. We have talked to the park service that will be providing security and they told us that they are no interested in people’s legal status. We will also have marshals on hand to help should anything arise.”

M eanwhile, Attorney Valera issued a press release, saying,  "ATTENTION “KABABAYANS’ and fellow immigrants. Be part of this historic undertaking in the U.S. capital and join the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) and other immigrant groups in the MARCH FOR AMERICA.

Immigration Reform for New American Families

Economic Justice for All American Families 

March 21, 2010 (Sunday)

Interfaith Service at 1 p.m., March at 2 p.m.

Lincoln Memorial

Washington, DC

We will give the President and Congress no choice but to act. Visit www.WeMarchForAmeri ca.org for more  information.

Join our cell phone action network by texting “JUSTICE” to 69866 to receive the latest updates on the March for America and the fight for immigration reform.  March for America is organized by hundreds of grassroots organizations nationwide.

www.WeMarchForAmeri ca.org

ASSEMBLY POINT FOR THE  MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION / FILIPINO DELEGATION @ 1:00 p.m.

L’ENFANT Plaza Metro – Maryland Ave. Exit

Those who wish to join the MHC/ Filipino delegation, please email migrantheritage@ gmail.com or call 703-273-1196/ 703-675-6334/ 202-247-0117 .  PLEASE LOOK FOR THE BANNER OF THE MIGRANT HERITAGE COMMISSION  AND/ OR  THE PHILIPPINE FLAG . Per organizers’s guidelines,  please  wear white t -shirts.

Those who are unable to attend are encouraged to give donations (payable to MHC with memo: in support of the Immigrant Rights Advocacy) and mail to MHC office: 3930 Walnut St., Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net)

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