Title
To declare September 30, 2003 to be Immigrant Worker Freedom Ride Day in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, immigrants are the backbone of this country, building a strong and diverse American society; and
WHEREAS, many immigrant communities today face great challenges, struggling to take care of families with low wages and few worker protection. They meet these daunting tasks with lessened support from family and heightened community suspicion in the wake of our September 11 tragedy; and
WHEREAS, leaders from the immigrant community are emulating the great civil rights leaders of 1961 and crisscrossing the country to demand human rights and justice; and
WHEREAS, these leaders are visiting Columbus, encourage our community to learn more about their tremendous challenges,
to be inspired by their courage and leadership, and to join the journey to support family reunification, a path to citizenship, an end to exploitation on the job, and the protection of civil liberties for all; and
WHEREAS, the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Coalition in Columbus is a group of faith, community, and labor leaders committed to making the events here successful and to building long-term public awareness on immigrant issues; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to encourage all people to live together in peace and harmony, Columbus salutes those committed to these worthwhile endeavors and reaffirms its commitment to equality and freedom for all people regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background; thereby
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council declares Tuesday September 30, 2003 to be Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride Day in Columbus, Ohio.