|
Hundreds
Demonstrate In Support for Detainees
From World Journal
March 22, 2002
A dozen Chinese immigrants from all walks of life joined hundreds
of protesters in Brooklyn last Friday to offer their support for
more than a thousand Middle Eastern immigrants detained by the Immigration
and Naturalization Service after September 11.
The protesters marched from Fifth Avenue and Ninth Street to the
Metropolitan Detention Center located on 29th Street and Third Avenue.
It has been almost three months since protests against unreasonable
detention of Middle Eastern immigrants started. Initiated by various
immigrant groups, community-based and human rights organizations,
the protest has been joined by a growing number of Chinese immigrants.
It was the first time protesters took to the streets. During the
one-hour marching protest, demonstrators held banners and distributed
flyers along the streets.
In response to calls from the garment union, more than half a dozen
Chinese garment workers joined the protest although they have been
suffering economic setbacks from reduced work hours. A female garment
worker said that the INS was mistreating immigrants and all immigrants
in New York City should stand up against it. Another worker said
that the INS should not arrest people without legitimate reasons
because those immigrants have families to look after.
Li Tung-chi and Huang Pei-ying, a couple from a nearby Wesleyan
church in Park Slope who had been to several demonstrations, said
that the issue has affected Asian immigrants deeply although no
Chinese immigrants have been detained so far.
Chen Yue-ching, a Chinese American lawyer, said it is her first
time to join such a protest but she does not represent any groups.
She added that it is unfair for the INS to detain those immigrants.
Translated from Chinese by Larry Tung.
Back to The Citizen page!
|