On Saturday, February 7th, over a dozen WMALF affiliate unions rallied against ICE in Springfield, demanding the State of Massachusetts take additional steps to protect working families from Trump’s deportation machine. Speakers from a variety of unions echoed calls to stand with union workers in Minneapolis and solidarity with immigrant workers around the United States.
Last month, immigration enforcement officers kill Alex Pretti, a union nurse at a VA Hospital when he attempted to help a woman who was assaulted by an officer. In response, unions organized massive rallies, responding to calls for a general strike.
Based on recommendations from the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and the LUCE Network, the WMALF is demanding the Governor, Legislature, and state judiciary:
- Don’t just prohibit future contracts, End the existing 287g Agreement with Massachusetts Department of Corrections
- Mandate virtual access to all Massachusetts court hearings through legislation and Massachusetts Trial Court policy so individuals can participate free from ICE presence and intimidation.
- Pass the Dignity Not Deportations Act to end and prohibit future 287g and IGSA Contracts in Massachusetts.
287g agreements allow sheriffs departments and other government entities to sign contracts with ICE. While the Governor has taken steps to prevent future 287g agreements, existing agreements continue to allow ICE access to Massachusetts state resources.
Co-sponsoring unions included:
- Amherst Pelham Education Association
- Holyoke Teachers Association
- IATSE Local 232
- Mass Nurses Association
- Mass Society of Professors
- Northampton Association of School Employees
- SEIU Local 509
- SEIU Local 1199
- Springfield Education Association
- Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals
- UAW Local 2322
- UFCW Local 1459
- UNITE-HERE New England Joint Board
Endorsing community organizations included Neighbor to Neighbor, LUCE, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, New England Community Project, Mass Jobs with Justice, River Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Arise of Social Justice, River Valley PSL, Pa’lante, Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible, and Out Now Springfield.