www.newsandletters.org
|
|
NEWS & LETTERS, JUNE 2003
Memphis Latinos stand up for dignity
Memphis, Tenn.--The first Latino-oriented protest march
here took place on May 10. Called by Fuerza Latina Unida (FLU or "United
Latin Movement") and attended by about 200 people, mainly
Latino--especially youth, workers, and homemakers--but with many Black and Anglo
participants, the two-mile Peaceful March For A Safer Memphis shrugged off the
Southern heat, ending in an enthusiastic rally. A catalyst for the action was Alex, a Guatemalan who
told his story (in Spanish) to the rally: "My wife was killed last November. I'm left to take
care of our two children. People broke into my apartment and shot her. I called
911 but they couldn't answer because they only spoke English. We need police and
911 operators who speak Spanish." This story struck a chord because so many Latino workers
have been robbed and got no help from the police, even at times being robbed by
cops with impunity. While organizers were careful to avoid antagonizing the
police, an upcoming protest against police brutality was announced, which
elicited some cheers. One Latina marcher told NEWS & LETTERS, "We
want a safer Memphis, more help for Hispanics, put people in the emergency
services who will help us more. We don't have protection. They ignore us a lot.
We want to be able to live and to work. We want them to listen to us." Many marchers made their own signs, such as: "We
came to work, not to die," and "Orgullosos ser trabajadores"
("Proud to be workers"). One white FLU organizer said, "It's exciting to see
all the different types of people here, united around a common theme. The Latino
community in Memphis is new. There's never been a Latino public display of
anything. It's also exciting because you've got such a diverse mix:
African-Americans, other immigrants." --Memphis News & Letters |
|
Home l News & Letters Newspaper l Back issues l News and Letters Committees l Dialogues l Raya Dunayevskaya l Contact us l Search Published by News and Letters Committees |
