By ALFREDO ALVARADO
Few workers in the United States are as vulnerable as immigrant workers. Their status makes it extremely difficult and in many cases downright dangerous to organize for decent wages and working conditions.

Immigrants were already the favorite scapegoat of conservative radio talk show hosts and Republican politicians when the tragic events of 9/11 made their plight even worse. Hundreds from Middle Eastern countries who came here like others to pursue the American dream are languishing in detention centers — without being accused of any crime, without legal representation — wondering how their dream suddenly turned into a nightmare.

Inspired by the Freedom Riders of the Civil Rights Movement, immigrant workers are now planning a freedom ride of their own with the assistance of several unions, among them DC 37 and its national union, AFSCME.

The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride will focus public attention on the injustices of current policies and press for change. The DC 37 Executive Board voted unanimously June 11 to endorse the freedom ride and help organize a rally on Oct. 4. Busloads of workers from nine major cities will cross the country in late September and converge on Washington, D.C. Oct. 1 and 2 to meet with members of Congress. The new freedom riders will demonstrate at Liberty State Park in New Jersey Oct. 3 and on Oct. 4 will move into Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens for a massive rally.

With their mobilization the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride plans to educate elected officials and the public about three essential needs in a new immigration policy:

• legalization and a “road to citizenship” for all immigrant workers
• the right of immigrants to re-unite their families and
• protecting the rights of immigrants in the workplace.

Committee Chair Jacob Azeke announced that the DC 37 Citizenship Committee will hold a forum on immigration rights and the freedom ride on Sept. 24 at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride web site at www.iwfr.org.