[Bloquez l'empire!] Photos, Audio, Flyer: STATUS FOR ALL March in Montreal

[sans frontieres!]

MONTREAL -- Several hundred demonstrators marched along Jean-Talon Boulevard
this past Saturday, May 5, 2007, as part of a pan-Canadian Day of Action for
immigrant justice demanding: STATUS FOR ALL!

--> A PHOTO ESSAY from the May 5 Montreal demonstration and Parc Extension
Community Festival (including Mayworks!, the Contingent Précaires, and a
Mayday action by the Committee of the Unemployed) is linked at:
http://gallery.cmaq.net/may5statusforall

--> The "WHY WE ARE MARCHING" flyer text that was passed out in the
thousands on May 5 is linked at:
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/why-we-are-marching.html


The protest, organized by Solidarity Across Borders, marched east into
Villeray and Rosemont, and west to the busy Jean-Talon market-area until
finally crossing into the mostly immigrant Parc Extension neighborhood. Many
demonstrators covered their faces in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with
the hundreds of thousands people who live without status in Canada. The day
ended with a Community Festival in Athena Park in the heart of Parc X, with
dancing, music, food and speakers.

Montreal's May 5 demonstration – under the theme "Immigrant rights are
workers' rights" – was the culmination of several Mayday activities
supported by the Solidarity Across Borders network, including the Mayworks
Festival, and the "Contingent Précaires" on Mayday. As well, our
demonstration was undertaken in solidarity with immigrant justice
mobilizations in the United States. We particularly emphasized the immigrant
worker traditions of Mayday, dating back to they Haymarket martyrs of 1886.


-> Aside from various speakers at the May 5 demo and community festival,
Solidarity Across Borders recorded the following RECORDED STATEMENTS  that
were played at the demonstration:

* A message from Kader Belaouni, in sanctuary at the St-Gabriel's Church in
Montreal since January 2006; Kader marched with Solidarity Across Borders
from Montreal to Ottawa in 2005, and continues to defy a deportation order,
and to demand permanent residency in Canada. His message is linked at:
http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23048
More info about Kader is available at: http://www.soutienpourkader.net

* A message from Amir Hodhod, from Jersey City; Amir was an active member of
Solidarity Across Borders who also organized and marched to Ottawa in June
2005 to demand a full and inclusive regularization program for all
non-status migrants; in 2006, Amir was deported to the United States, where
he continues his struggle for status. His message is linked at:
http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23046
More info about Amir Hodhod is available at:
http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/node/124


* And a message from Amir Kazemian, who was in sanctuary in a Vancouver-area
church for almost three years, before winning status this past February. His
message is linked at: http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=23047


-> Several of the MAINSTREAM MEDIA articles about May 5 demonstrations are
linked on the Solidarity Across Borders news blog:

Montreal Gazette: Protesters march for refugees, migrants; many
demonstrators wear masks in show of solidarity with illegal, non-status
immigrants
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/protesters-march-for-refugees-migrants.html


Canadian Press: Demonstrators demand status for migrants
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/demonstrators-demand-status-for.html


CTV (Toronto): Protesters rally against deportation of refugees
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/protesters-rally-against-deportation-of_06.html


Radio-Canada: Marche de solidarité avec les clandestins
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/marche-de-solidarit-avec-les.html


Presse Canadienne: Marche pour les libertés civiles à Montréal
http://solidarityacrossborders.blogspot.com/2007/05/marche-pour-les-liberts-civiles-montral.html

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If you're interested in knowing more about Solidarity Across Borders,
supporting our work, or getting involved, please attend our next GENERAL
ASSEMBLY (May 11), or our COMMUNITY DINNER (May 12):

--> Solidarity Across Borders GENERAL ASSEMBLY
FRIDAY, May 11th
1500 de Maisonneuve Ouest, #204
(metro Guy-Concordia)
6pm: for newcomers
6:30pm: assembly begins
Childcare and rides are available upon request, please phone 514-848-7583 to
confirm.
Snacks will also be available.

--> Our next COMMUNITY DINNER
Welcome to all!
A free dinner, with music, films and more...
SATURDAY, MAY 12th, 6pm
6839 rue Drolet, corner Belanger
Metro Jean-Talon, exit Jean-Talon South
(one street south of Jean-Talon and one street West of St-Denis)

Solidarity Across Borders is a Montreal-based network engaged in the
struggle for justice and dignity of immigrants and refugees. We are
comprised of migrants, immigrants, refugees and allies, and come together in
support of four main demands: the regularization of all non-status people
(Status for All!), an end to deportations, an end to detentions, and the
abolition of security certificates.

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INFO:
http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org
514-848-7583 / sansfrontieres at resist.ca