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| Recent Events |
Affiliates and ally organizations of the Southwest Network for
Environmental and Economic Justice, a Bi-National network,
spoke out against the lack of accountability of the US/Mexico
Border Governor’s Conference, that took place in Austin,
Texas on August 23th & 24th.
Read full article here
Environmental and Economic Justice, a Bi-National network,
spoke out against the lack of accountability of the US/Mexico
Border Governor’s Conference, that took place in Austin,
Texas on August 23th & 24th.
Read full article here
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| National Day of Action for Immigrant Rights 4-10-2006 |
All across the nation, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in
protests, actions, demonstrations and marches to oppose legislation that could make
all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. felons.
In Austin, an estimated 10,000+ people gathered to show support for immigrants and
their families. The demonstration first started with a ceremonial blessing of the march
by Aztec Dancers on the Capitol grounds. Some keynote speakers included Susana
Almanza from PODER, Austin City Council Member Jennifer Kim and State Senator
Gonzalo Barrientos. After the speakers finished, thousands of the demonstrators
marched through several downtown streets carrying signs reading:
I AM A MEXICAN - NOT A CRIMINAL; USA - HOME OF THE FREE, THE BRAVE AND
THE PEOPLE THAT BUILT IT; SI SE PUEDE; FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW!
and many, many more.
The march ended at the Federal Building on 9th and San Jacinto. Throughout the
rally afterwards over a thousand more people joined the demonstrators to show their
support. Mexican and American flags waived side by side; people shouting and
chanting for fair, equal and humane treatment; "AMNESTIA!! AMNESTIA!!"(amnesty,
amnesty!!). Indeed, these demonstrations across the nation show that immigrants,
documented and undocumented, show support for each other and that we stand
together - united.
protests, actions, demonstrations and marches to oppose legislation that could make
all undocumented immigrants in the U.S. felons.
In Austin, an estimated 10,000+ people gathered to show support for immigrants and
their families. The demonstration first started with a ceremonial blessing of the march
by Aztec Dancers on the Capitol grounds. Some keynote speakers included Susana
Almanza from PODER, Austin City Council Member Jennifer Kim and State Senator
Gonzalo Barrientos. After the speakers finished, thousands of the demonstrators
marched through several downtown streets carrying signs reading:
I AM A MEXICAN - NOT A CRIMINAL; USA - HOME OF THE FREE, THE BRAVE AND
THE PEOPLE THAT BUILT IT; SI SE PUEDE; FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW!
and many, many more.
The march ended at the Federal Building on 9th and San Jacinto. Throughout the
rally afterwards over a thousand more people joined the demonstrators to show their
support. Mexican and American flags waived side by side; people shouting and
chanting for fair, equal and humane treatment; "AMNESTIA!! AMNESTIA!!"(amnesty,
amnesty!!). Indeed, these demonstrations across the nation show that immigrants,
documented and undocumented, show support for each other and that we stand
together - united.
| Cesar Chavez March for Unity and Justice! 4/1/2006 |
Over 3,000 people attended the 5th Annual Cesar Chavez March for Unity & Justice
in Austin. Cesar demonstrated the need for all working people to support those who
are oppressed and exploited; working for dignity on the job and in the community;
increasing democratic rights of working people; challenging the powerful in defense
of the powerless. This year, thousands of people demonstrated against the
anti-immigration bills being proposed in Congress.
House Bill HR 4437 would make it a felony for undocumented immigrants to reside in
the U.S. It would also make anyone who aids an undocumented person in finding a
job, giving them food, or basically anything to let them survive in the U.S. a felon as
well.
in Austin. Cesar demonstrated the need for all working people to support those who
are oppressed and exploited; working for dignity on the job and in the community;
increasing democratic rights of working people; challenging the powerful in defense
of the powerless. This year, thousands of people demonstrated against the
anti-immigration bills being proposed in Congress.
House Bill HR 4437 would make it a felony for undocumented immigrants to reside in
the U.S. It would also make anyone who aids an undocumented person in finding a
job, giving them food, or basically anything to let them survive in the U.S. a felon as
well.
| Student Walkout 3-30-2006 |
In an amazing showcase of solidarity, students from Del Valle, Lanier, LBJ and
Reagan High Schools walked out of class and marched to the Capital Building.
Over 500 students convened on the steps of the capital building and rallied to
show their protest of the Anti-Immigration Legislation that is being proposed.
Amazingly, the only official to show face was State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos.
Barrientos was nice enough to order some cases of cold water to be brought out
to the protesting students, many of which had marched for hours to reach the
capital.
Reagan High Schools walked out of class and marched to the Capital Building.
Over 500 students convened on the steps of the capital building and rallied to
show their protest of the Anti-Immigration Legislation that is being proposed.
Amazingly, the only official to show face was State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos.
Barrientos was nice enough to order some cases of cold water to be brought out
to the protesting students, many of which had marched for hours to reach the
capital.
| May 1st, 2006 "A Day Without An Immigrant" March |
May 1st is Labor Day, celebrated in honor of those who lost their lives to gain the 8
hour work day. On May 1st, immigrants called for “a day without immigrants” and for
a one-day consumer boycott to demand the legal status of 12 million undocumented
workers in the United States. On May 1st in Austin, Texas and throughout the US
thousands of people took to the street to demand Rights, Dignity, and Respect.
Native or Foreign, we’re the same working class.
hour work day. On May 1st, immigrants called for “a day without immigrants” and for
a one-day consumer boycott to demand the legal status of 12 million undocumented
workers in the United States. On May 1st in Austin, Texas and throughout the US
thousands of people took to the street to demand Rights, Dignity, and Respect.
Native or Foreign, we’re the same working class.
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| PODER Quinceañera! 15 years of Community, Empowerment and Struggle |
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| “Nature’s Pharmacy” With La Capitana Helga Garcia-Garza Conchero Azteca Chichimeca Calpulli Tlalpalcalli Centro de Recursos |
| Xinachtli - PODER Summer/Fall 2006 Newsletter Available for download (Microsoft Publisher format) |
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| YSJ 2006 Update! Click here for info |
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For years PODER has worked to protect the environment in East Austin.
Oak Springs natural springs, located at the intersection of Oak Springs
Street and Airport Boulevard was the future location for a Dollar Store.
For several years PODER had been addressing the issue of the natural
springs in East Austin. PODER members organized and worked with
Councilman Mike Martinez to save the Oak Springs area from being
developed.
On December 14, 2006 the Austin City Council voted to purchase the 5.9
acre tract. On January 9, 2007, PODER members met with Jason
Spangler of the Brodie Wild Project and members of the Austin chapter of
the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Native Prairies Association.
The Oak Spring area natural beauty is not just it springs but the native
plants and trees located at the site. PODER is working with various
groups to possibly design the site and protect the water quality, restore
native vegetation and habitat and educating the public about how to
garden with native plants.
Oak Springs natural springs, located at the intersection of Oak Springs
Street and Airport Boulevard was the future location for a Dollar Store.
For several years PODER had been addressing the issue of the natural
springs in East Austin. PODER members organized and worked with
Councilman Mike Martinez to save the Oak Springs area from being
developed.
On December 14, 2006 the Austin City Council voted to purchase the 5.9
acre tract. On January 9, 2007, PODER members met with Jason
Spangler of the Brodie Wild Project and members of the Austin chapter of
the Native Plant Society of Texas and the Native Prairies Association.
The Oak Spring area natural beauty is not just it springs but the native
plants and trees located at the site. PODER is working with various
groups to possibly design the site and protect the water quality, restore
native vegetation and habitat and educating the public about how to
garden with native plants.
| Community Advisory Group (CAG) opposes Roma Design Groups recommendations and presents its own community recommendations. Find out more here - MS Word format |
| Victory! Oak Springs Saved! |
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| No Toll Roads Flier Take Back Our Roads! Say No to Unfair Double Taxation! Say No to Environmental and Economic Racism! No Tolls On Freeways We’ve Already Paid For! |
| PODER, LULAC District 7 and Black Austin Democrats all opposed Phase II Toll Roads. For months residents protested and gave testimony at numerous hearings regarding the discrimination factor of East Austin Toll Roads. Highway 71, 183 and 290 were free highways that would have been converted to Toll Roads. Communities of color in East Austin would have felt the negative impact of having to pay tolls, a tax. On Monday, January 22nd, CAMPO Board at the leadership of Chairman Senator Kirk Watson voted to remove the Phase II toll roads from the current package of transportation improvements. This is a victory for the East Austin community. |
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Erika Gonzalez, Co-Director of PODER recently traveled to
Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa to attend the World Social Forum.
Please check out her blog with pictures and reflections of the
World Social Forum 2007 at http://wsf2007-erika.blogspot.com/
Nairobi, Kenya in East Africa to attend the World Social Forum.
Please check out her blog with pictures and reflections of the
World Social Forum 2007 at http://wsf2007-erika.blogspot.com/
| 6th Annual Cesar Chavez "Si Se Puede" March for Justice in Austin |
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