NON-PROFIT For Workers, By Workers LELO ORG. Come visit us! US POSTAGE PAID SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES, TO EACH OTHER 3700 South Hudson St, Unit C , WA Seattle, WA 98118 PERMIT NO. 1425 A N e w s l e t t e r o f L E L O — A L e g a c y o f E q u a l i t y , L e a d e r s h i p & O r g a n i z i n g (206) 860-1400 fax (206) 860-1414 ISSUE 12: SPRING 2006 Website: www.lelo.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED The April 10th May 1st, La A Face to the Struggle for Immigrant Marchas brought millions of undocumented Latino Rights: Jorge Quiroga by Karen Zammit families, other immigrants and their allies into the streets in cities and small towns across the country to demand basic human rights. LELO founder Silme Domingo liked to talk about the “ebbs and flows” of people’s movements. He reminded us that our work, LELO’s Annual as social justice organizers, is to build strong political Domingo, Viernes, Jefferson and organizational skills so  JUNE 10 that our folks would be Awards Dinner educated, empowered and ready to lead when the flow came. In 1999, organizer ike many of you, I saw dictatorships. He made me participate Ricardo Ortega, on behalf Jorge Quiroga at LELO at a very young age. I used to be a of LELO, helped found El Thank You Cherry Cayabyab! by scott winn Comité Pro Amnistia L events and was not aware of carpenter, but the Argentinean his story. We recently government took me as being linked General y Justicia Social – "Being a part of the Family Wage Jobs Association, the group founded and led by Silme Domingo talked about his experience being a with an organization called The Committee for General political refugee from Argentina and Monteneros, which was one of the Committee was my favorite memory and Gene Viernes before they were assassinated in 1981. Amnesty & Social Justice. of working at LELO," reflected Cherry Cherry returned from vacation and started her job at the UW how he became an organizer for biggest groups in Argentina that was For the past seven years immigrant and worker rights. He is fighting against dictators. I was doing Cayabyab about her year working as Women's Center, and was happy to see Paula Lukaszek, a the Comité has worked organizer of LELO's Family Wage Job currently on the boards of El Comité political work for them, but the member of the Family Wage Jobs Project. Paula is a tirelessly to conduct Organizing Project. Cherry is now unionized plumber at the UW. "I was so excited to see Pro Amnistia General y Justicia Social government believed I was a guerilla outreach and education in (The Committee for General Amnesty & working as the Coordinator of the Paula!" remembers Cherry. "We gave each other big hugs fighter," shares Jorge, recounting his University of Women's undocumented Latino Social Justice) and LELO. time in Argentina. "I was coming and I felt nostalgic." communities across the Center. "I had the opportunity to meet Cherry's community work continues. She volunteers as the “I came from Argentina, where I was from work on a motorcycle and it and work with an amazing group of state. Now that the flow is broke down, and I was trying to fix it. Education Director for Gabriela Network, a Filipina upon us, with literally tens a young organizer involved in working class folks who have more solidarity organization. She is also on the Board of the community and union organizing. My The army came on one of those heart and drive than many of the of thousands mobilizing in flatbed trucks, and I didn’t see them Asian Pacific Islander Women and Family Safety Center, Comité uncle was active in the resistance people who get the credit for being Seattle alone, the is but heard them, and everyone jumped and the Seattle Chapter of the National Asian Pacific at the forefront of both the movement in Argentina in the 50’s, community activists. It was humbling American Women's Forum. She plans to stay involved with on me. I woke up under the feet of all local and national when they broke down the to be part of the committee, as well as working with LELO as well. the soldiers because they laid me everyone at LELO." immigrant rights "LELO is on point with its political analysis." continued down in the back of the truck. I had a LELO seems to follow Cherry everywhere she goes now. movements. LELO are black bag over my face. I was Cherry. "LELO doesn't just represent communities of color, proud to be a founding After leaving LELO, before she found new employment, her LELO is communities of color. LELO is workers organizing detained for 3½ years and tortured, partner of the Comité and a mother took her to Hawaii for a vacation. Cherry was for themselves, the reality of that at LELO will always echo but they never had proof. My family participant in this historic taking a ride back to her hotel and struck up a conversation within me. It is how I strive to see myself doing social thought I was dead.” with her driver. Ends up he used to be a cannery worker at moment. justice organizing as a lifestyle. A holistic and “When I came from Argentina, I Alaska's Wards Cove, where the famous Supreme Court comprehensive analysis, including an international La Lucha Continua! Wards Cove Cannery Workers Civil Rights lawsuit sprang worked hard for many years to make perspective, without being afraid to say they are anti- my family successful," says Jorge, from, a major project of LELO in the 1980's and 1990's. He capitalist. While LELO provides a larger political The Editors was also a member of the Alaskan Cannery Workers framework for folks, it maintains a diverse way of thinking (Continued on page 2) and seeing the world. LELO builds unity that way." (Continued from page 1) makes simply being an undocumented Agua Verde Restaurant, American Civil Liberties Union, American Friends Service Committee, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Benson East Tenants, Bill & Melinda S ISSION person a felony in this country. It Gates Foundation, Black Dollar Days, Boston Foundation - Circle Fund, The Breakfast Club, Café Flora, LELO' M allows the police in any state to detain Carpenters' Union, Local 131, Cascade People's Center, CASA Latina, Central Area Development Association, LELO is a 30+ year-old workers’ rights Center for Career Alternatives, Church Council of Greater Seattle, Community Coalition for Environmental immigrants. That galvanized the Justice, Department of Neighborhoods Race and Social Justice Fund, Douglas organization based in Seattle, community," says Jorge, explaining Drachler & McKee, LLP, Emerald City Jazz D O N O R S Ensemble, Equal Rights Washington, Washington with a Legacy of Equality, EvergreenThank State College Labor Education &You! Research Center, Friends for Jim why the march was such a success. McDermott, G.S.B.A., Harry Bridges Labor Center for Labor Studies, Hate Free Zone, High Note Espresso, Leadership & Organizing. LELO strives to "For the immigrants there will be a IBEW Local 46, IBU/ILWU Region 37, IFPTE, Local 17, Interim Community Development Association, Japanese empower workers of color, low income American Citizens League, Jubilee NW, Kiewit Pacific Co., King County Charitable Giving Campaign, King and women workers to assert our rights, different set of rules. For example, we County Division of Community Corrections, Larry Phillips for County Council, Low Income Housing Institute, can be detained differently…we can MacDonald, Hoague & Bayless, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Marriage Equality Now, Marpac Construction, improve our working conditions and gain Microsoft Matching Gifts Program, Minority Executive Directors Coalition, Mothers for Police Accountability, a voice in our workplaces, trade unions be immediately deported without a day Nonprofit Assistance Center, October 22 Coalition, OPEIU Local 8, Out Front Labor Coalition/Pride at Work, in court. They say within 100 miles Palestine Solidarity Committee, People for Richard Conlin, People with Nick Licata, Porter's Refrigeration, Public and communities - both within the US and Interest Law Group, Quicksource, Inc., Rainier Valley Development Fund, Real Change, SAFECO Insurance across the globe. from a point of entry you could be Co, SCIDPDA, Seattle Community Access Network, Seattle Office for Civil Rights, SEIU, Local 6, SEIU, Local considered a person who just crossed 925, SEIU, Local 1199, Seattle-King County Building & Construction Trades Council, Seattle Young People's Project , SHARE/WHEEL, Social Justice Fund Northwest, Sound Transit, South Seattle Community College BOARD MEMBERS the border and they can immediately Foundation, Spectra Communications, Stritmatter Kessler Whelan Withey Coluccio, Teamsters Local 174, Nemesio Domingo deport you. In Seattle, we have no Tenants Union, Tides Foundation, Community Investments Fund, Tiempo, Tierra Learning Center, United Way of King County, University Baptist Church, Urban Press, WA State Building & Construction Trades Council, Monst*R Esguerra place to go without risking deportation Washington Cement Masons Training Institute, Washington State Jobs With Justice, Welfare Rights Organizing Todd Hawkins (Emeritus) because every place is within 100 Coalition, Western States Center, Women in Black, David Abrams, Chick Ackley, Duboise Adams, Phillip Garry Owens Adams, Joanne Alcantara, Negin Almassi, Xochitl Alvarez-Ponce, Brenda Anibarro, Ronald Antonio, Connie miles of a point of entry. I think that Ashbrook, Maia & Guy Astley, Marc Auerbach, Denise Baeza, Susan Bagby, Sean Bagsby, Melissa Bailey, Marline Pedregosa has turned the corner for us to make Michael Baker & Judy Tobin, Bob Barnes & Sue Gibbs, Mike Barnett & Abby Howell, Maria Batayola, Teresita Jorge Quiroga Batayola & Dionnie Dionisio, Geoff Bate, Marcia Benjamin, Paul Benz & Linda Olsen, Frank Reynolds this a massive issue. We cannot allow Charles Bergquist, Samson Beriso, James 2 0 0 5 Bible, Ismahan Bihi, Mindy & Paul Blaski, Frederick Simmons Maureen Bo, Ronald Bolisay, Beata Bowen, Andrea Brenneke & Dan Clarkson, Jennifer this to go through; if this goes through, Brower, ThankKamilah Brown, Angela Burks, Wayne Burnette, Richard Burton,You! Miguel Cardoso de Campos and Dawn we lose. ‘Illegal immigrant’ is not a Aiken, Greg Carey, Delbert Castle, Emma Catague, Goldie Caughlan, Cherry Cayabyab, Robin Chapman, STAFF Abeslin Chavez, Marissa Chavez, Louise Chernin, Dean Chier, Doug Chin, Stephanie Christman, Thomas & Michael Woo term that we like very much, because Zofia Churchill, Darryl & Gina Coaxum, Fai Coffin, Cindy Cole, Jean Colman, King County Councilmember Dow Jorge Quiroga (L) & Araceli Hernandez, Comité Board members, at the March 18th immigrant rights rally. if you put it that way it is easier to put Constantine, Clint Coppernoll, Merril Cousin, Maggie Crain, Jo Cripps, Cesar Cueva, Sabra Dahir, Charles & Executive Director Jonis Davis, Heather Day, Andrea De Majewski, Eric Dee, Donnalyn Denina, Rochelle Derrough, Patricia [email protected] whose family in Argentina eventually human rights. The Comité has never harsh laws against them because they Deutsch, Ulric Dihle, Daniel DiLeva, Vanny Doeun, Adelina Domingo, Cindy Domingo, Kalayaan Domingo, Lynn obtained a visa for him to get out of tried to be the voice of the community, are ‘illegal’ instead of Domingo, Nemesio Domingo, John Donaghy, Barbara Dorris, Jim Douglas & Sasha Harmon, Donna Lynn Domingo Duffy, Carol Dwyer, Arthur Dye, Wendie Dyson, Scrooge Ebby, King County Council Member Carolyn Edmonds, Community Organizer jail and come to Seattle. St. Paul’s but believes that people can express ‘undocumented’," continued Jorge. Stephanie Erickess-Caluya, Monst*R Esguerra & Boo Torres de Esguerra, Gary Fasso, Ellen Ferguson, Osvaldo Fernandez & Sonya Flores, Naomi Finkelstein, Curt Firestone, Sonia Flores, Jim Flynn, Judith Fortier, [email protected] church in Rainier Beach sponsored themselves instead of us interpreting. "What we are trying to do is pass Michael & Sally Fox, John Foz & Elaine Ko, Terry & Diann French, Atilio & Luisa Gallardo, Gholamabaas him. "20,000 people were killed in That’s why we believe that putting legislation within Congress to legalize Ghojiei, Eric Gilbreath, Angela Gilliam, Courtney Gomez, Sally Goodwin, Natasha Gordon, King County Council Kristyn Joy Argentina during that period, so I do people on the street is making sure that people who are already here in the Member Larry Gossett, Larry & Rhonda Gossett, Mike Graham-Squire, Thomas Granger, Cyrus Gray, Gary Education and Membership Coordinator Greaves, Jennifer Greenstein, James Gregory, Trevor Griffey, Rich Gurtiza, Peter Guzman, Lee Halpri, George [email protected] not consider my story unique. The people hear what the community country, which is probably 11 to 12 Hampton, Joe Doyle Hankins, State Representative Bob Hasegawa, Todd & Carolyn Hawkins, Araceli only uniqueness is that I am alive. wants.” million people today. I believe that Hernandez, Amy Herzfeld, Pat & Elizabeth Higgins, Gregg Hirakawa, Thomas Hodges, R Corbin Houchins, Juli Hughes, Erin Hyppa, Adrienne Ines, King County Councilmember David Irons, Charlene & Bud Ishida, Alice Ito Ricardo Ortega History has been written by the people National Day of Action for now is the time for the civil rights & Bob Shimabukuro, Davis Ja & Deborah Sherwood, Daniel Jacoby, Faduma Jama, E. Dove John, Monique Community Organizer who win; the other side of the story organizing and fights for Latinos just Johnson, Dennis & Dibbon Joy, Kristyn Joy & Mike Annee, Maria Juarez, Jeremy Kahn, Peter Kardas & Lin On loan to Comité to Jan 07 Immigrant Justice Nelson, Kelci Karl, Lisa Karl & Brenda Johnson, Cathy Kaufmann, Mary Keefe, Vangie & Rich Keefe, Joann 206-324-6044 usually is never told.” like the 1960’s were for the African Keenan, Kathryn Keller, Marilyn Kihara, Tasha Kimball & Kevin Bortfeld, State Senator Adam Kline, Jason The Comité organized, with a broad Klumb, Tiffani Koyano, Jenni Kullberg, Robbie Kunreuther, Terry Land, Hubert Lee, Sharon Lerman, Yin Ling Americans.” Moon Vazquez Jorge stepped back into community coalition, the historic march of over Leung, Margaret Levi & Robert Kaplan, Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata, Becky organizing six years ago after leading “Today we have superfluous divisions Liebman & Charlie Stephens, Roberta D O N O R S Lindeman, Ruth Little, Kathy Lock, Stanley Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator 30,000 people, mostly Latinos, from & KathyThank Lock, David Loud, George Lovell, You! Paula Lukaszek, Sarah Luthens, Sharon Maeda, Tom Mai, Richard Mar & Sue Taoka, Bob Markholt & Mary Alice Theiler, Dennis Martinez, Maribel [email protected] a church campaign to hold Spanish between races because economic the Central Area to the Federal Martinez, Terri Mast, Lindsay Mathers, Fai & Dave Mathews, Carolyn McConnell & Jonathan Rosenblum, Mark masses and then became involved with Building in Seattle on April 10, 2006. forces keep us separated. That serves McDermott, Karen McKay & Ted Wolf, Steven McKinney & Jane Shofer, Abdon & Barbara Mendoza, Dan Joyce Yee The Comité. “The Comité formed the purpose of keeping us fighting for Merckle, Ruben Miranda, Andy & Miki Mizuki, Linda Moore, Leslie Morishita, Greg & Mei Mowat, Diane Narasaki Community Organizer During our conversation, Jorge was & James West, Eileen Nelson, Lonnie Nelson, Linh Ngo, Elaine Nonneman, Farah Nousheen, Laura about 7 years ago, it sprouted from the crumbs from the table," comments Nuechterlein, JoAnn Oliver, David Olson, Fadumo Omar, Ricardo Ortega & Ruth Lopez, Garry Owens, James [email protected] still excited about the public support LELO and the NW Immigrant Rights Jorge, sharing his hopes for the future Packer, Emily Paddison, Binah Palmer, Allan & Jane Paulson, Maya Baxter & Terry Pawlitscek, Marline and turnout. “I was on Rainier Avenue Pedregosa, King County Councilmember Dwight Pelz, Anthony Perez, John Persak, Anne & John Pesely Heil, Newsletter Committee Project in partnership with the of the immigrant rights movement. just before the march, and a lady came Michael Peskura, State Representative Eric Pettigrew, Lan Pham, Myrna Plum, Rick Polintan & Pacita Bunag, carpenters and painters unions as well "The only way we can participate at Vanessa Posadas, Marjorie & Garry Prince, Ellen Punyon & Frederick Saling, Jorge & Yolanda Quiroga, Norma Writer Brenda Anibarro to me with a flyer to go to the march. Ramirez, Martha Ramos, Michael Ramos, Paul Raymond & Ellen Taussig, Liezl Rebugio, Shad Reinstein & Writer, Editor, Staff Coordinator as other organizations and individual She picked up a flyer at El Centro De the table is if we unite as people of Jody Laine, John Repp & Cindy Cole, Malinda & Gary Reyes, Maria Dolores Reyna Enriquez, Frank & Helaire Kristyn Joy Reynolds, Chris Rhineheart, Kathleen Ring, Siobhan Ring & Erin Katz, AJ & LaToya Rivera, Shelly Robbins, members. Our main work has been to color. All groups share the same La Raza and made her own copies and Andrew Robinson, Ia Rodriguez & Cris Wagner, David Rogers, Ed & Millie Russell, Jr., Sylvia Sabon, Julio Layout design, Writer, Editor organize grassroots community her family was out leafleting. I started struggle for human rights, labor and Sanchez, State Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, Tisha Satow, Wanda Saunders, Liz Schott, Mary Ann Tiffani Koyano groups. We share information with the civil rights. Groups of people can Schroeder, Rita & Dick Selin, Lynn Sereda, Maryan Sheikomar, Stanley Shikuma & Tracy Lai, Frederick Committee Member Moon Vazquez to feel that it was going to be huge. Simmons, Esther Simpson & Bill Simpson, King County Executive Ron Sims, Sarita Siqueiros, Freedom Siyam, Writer, Editor scott winn community about immigrant rights When people asked me how many grow politically together to amplify Gwen Skinner, Roy Smith, Luis Sobarzo, Laura Soracco, Kathryn Spelz & Richard Gamble, Janet Stecher, Alec Stephens, Jr., Hilary Stern, Robbie Stern & Dina Burstein, Robin Stern, Jan Strout, Vega Subramaniam & Mala Writer, Editor Karen Zammit and the importance of fair immigration opportunity for political discussion people would be at this march, I would Nagarajan, Clarissa Sugatan, Peter Suruda, Misa Takaki, Rebecca Tesdell, Michele Thomas, Kenneth legislation reform. We tell the say between 10 to 20 thousand, and and action.” Thompson, Charles Tillman, Norma Timbang Kuehl, Lema Togia, Xuan-Trang Thanks to the people who contributed communities that it’s not true that "Mary" Tran-Thien, Gael Treesiwin, Carolyn 2 0 0 5 Ann Trimble, James True & Diane Lee, time, articles & energy to this issue! they thought I was crazy. And there Karen Zammit Joyce Tseng, Elizabeth Turnbow, Tony Tyson, Liesbeth Vanderwal & Hunter John, is a working single mom, recovering Beata Bowen, Eric Dee (Cover Photos), because they are undocumented that student, and activist. Participating on the newsletter Maka Vao,Thank Michael Vavrus, Moon Vazquez & Jennifer Hudson, SelmaYou! Waldman, Tricia Wagner, Bob Watrus, was way more than that!” committee enables her to demonstrate continued Steve Weber, Joseph Wert & Kathy Keefe, Barb Wiley, Sharon Williams, Richard Willis, Lynne Wilson, Joan Jorge Quiroga, Laura Soracco they don’t have rights, they do have “They just didn’t like the bill that has support of LELO’s human rights campaigns. Wimmett, Scott Winn, Marlo Winter, Mike Withey, Tricia & Steve Wittman-Todd, Ana Mari Woehr, Alice Woldt, rights…labor rights, civil rights, and Mary Wolney, Kathy Wong, Michael & Marie Kurose Woo, Shari Woo, Carter Wright, Robin Wyss, Joyce Yee Thank you to www.riniart.org for the social justice graphics. passed through the House which

Page 2—Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other—Page 11 (Continued from page 5) Immigrant Rights Movement Benefits All Workers by Frederick Simmons Payday loans or cash advance loans are “designed to keep borrowers in debt, not provide one-time assistance” according to the Center for Responsible Lending. In 2003 they found, “borrowers who receive 5 or more loans a I look up Jackson Street and witness be exploited simply because they and Mexico. (I guess the Canadian a sea of people descending toward lack documentation, or their country border isn’t an issue.) Legislation year account for 91% of the lender’s business.” downtown Seattle. This is the largest of origin is not the . was introduced in Congress to As a result of these debts, many end up with bad credit scores which limit the ability to pass credit checks when protest march since the WTO. But criminalize facilitating or helping looking for an apartment to rent or applying for a car loan. Moreover, it is now becoming commonplace for what am I really seeing? Initially I Another argument I hear constantly human beings with basic human employers to use pre-employment credit checks when making hiring decisions, even for entry-level jobs. thought the size of these coordinated is that immigrants are taking jobs needs, simply because of their national marches was spontaneous; from Black workers. When undocumented status. Meanwhile Bringing Our Research Home but now I realize movements are conservatives make this argument it there is no punishment for the LELO kicked the New Year off with the goal of investigating the connections between debt and poverty in the developed through years of sacrifice, is tantamount to saying that your biggest beneficiaries of their labor. Rainier Valley. On a cloudy February day in Seattle, LELO members pair up in teams of two and three and walk the hard work and patience. The skin color relegates you to certain Rainier Avenue/Martin Luther King Jr. corridor, stretching from Genesee to Alaska street. The members, who are marches have generated huge job choice and pay scales. That LELO has an analysis that has been also neighborhood residents, had their clipboards in hand, taking to the streets as researchers. They mapped the debates within our economic system, Black and Brown workers will with this organization for 35 years: locations of lending businesses that are quickly becoming a feature of the Rainier Valley. The community mapping within other communities of color, naturally be pitted against each other no worker is “illegal” and workers project marks the first phase of the campaign by examining the economic, racial and social factors that lead to debt and within Congress. Immigration is in a race to the bottom. What should have the same rights as in our communities. For the mapping project, LELO Debt & Poverty organizer, Lynn Domingo formed a committee what it has always been: the disturbs me the most is that I hear capital. If capital (or corporations) this argument from Black workers. can move freely across borders then by recruiting six community members from the southeast Rainier neighborhood to research and document the high perception of a better life elsewhere. It’s time that Black and Brown workers should be able to move concentration of rip-off businesses on Rainier Avenue and Martin Luther King Way. The committee is developing I hear people say that the pilgrims workers got together to stop our freely also. Our organization is leadership by using co-chairs and collectively deciding on what equipment, software, training and other items were the first immigrants. This is not mutual exploitation. It’s time we grounded in the concept of “No should be purchased with the grant money that was awarded to run the project mapping and video taping. They true. Let us not confuse immigration started talking about solidarity Separate Peace.” This means that all collected data and created a spreadsheet to document the name of the business, its location and the services it with colonialism. To colonize is to instead of competition. workers’ struggles worldwide are provides. “It was a participatory activity, where active members in their community get out, talk to other workers subjugate an indigenous people. interconnected and if a group of and account for businesses in their neighborhood,” remarked Lynn as she pointed to the stack of forms completed Immigration is an outgrowth of Conservatives, politicians and anywhere in the world is by the members. colonization. When the colonized market forces are trying to use the disenfranchised then our work must immigration issue to divide workers Lynn is energized about the project and her commitment to making the research participatory is evident as she talks can no longer survive because their continue. It also means that land and resources have been along racial and economic lines. whenever a group of workers wins about an upcoming research session for the committee. Following a training, members will search the internet for Racism and xenophobia have always data that reflects their everyday life experiences. The data collected by LELO’s community activists will be given to plundered, when workers can no changes in their conditions, we all longer provide for their families, been used as a tool to disunite benefit. If the current immigrant Beacon Hill resident and cartographer Wayne Rennick of the Pacific Groundwater Group. Rennick will create a workers’ struggles. Xenophobia has multi-layered map using Geographic Information System software that allows demographic information to be they are forced to leave behind their rights movement is successful, all countries, cultures and traditions to given rise to vigilante groups like workers should thank them. overlaid with spatial information. The map will serve as a visual document of how debt and poverty are connected survive. the “Minute-Men” (a group started in the Columbia City neighborhood. The Debt & Poverty committee will present its findings as part of a community in Arizona to try to stop border Until Next Time, forum on gentrification sponsored by the Department of Neighborhoods in June. The economic debate centers around crossings ) and serious talk about the Frederick Simmons, Using Video to Speak for Ourselves the false premise that immigration is construction of a 2,000 mile LELO Board Member a financial drain on the economy. If “Berlin” type wall between the U.S. below Center Coupled with the community mapping project is a video documentary that gives LELO members the opportunity to every undocumented worker stopped tell, in their own words, how they and their families are impacted by the economic pressures facing working class working for a week our economy families today. The video will be aired on local cable access television stations to educate and encourage would collapse. Another argument is community dialogue on the issue. that immigration drives down other Forging the Road Out of Poverty workers’ wages. That if the jobs done by recent immigrants and Today, the foot trail that once connected the Salish people from Lake Washington to Elliott Bay carries buses and undocumented workers paid more, cars of workers who clean high rises, own businesses and fill thousands of jobs throughout Seattle. Over time, the American workers would want them. old foot trail has heard stories at its bus stops, listened to the giggles of children along its sidewalks and felt the Making this argument assumes that footsteps of grandmothers walking to the local grocery stores. How long the low-income residents of this recent immigrants have control over community will continue calling the neighborhood home requires that we investigate the issue of debt related to our economic system. That they are poverty. LELO is committed to working on this issue and hopeful that we can build strong communities where in control of market forces. That everyone’s voice is heard and potential realized. Ultimately, LELO intends to show the connection between how they are the ones making the low credit scores deny people their basic human rights of housing, employment, and adequate transportation. decisions to outsource, layoff, move factories, and destruct workers’ Come to the SE Seattle Gentrification Forum on June 17! movements. This just isn’t true. The For more info contact Lynn Domingo at (206) 860-1400 or [email protected] real drain on our economy comes when the rest of the working class Brenda Anibarro is a community researcher and a member of the LELO Newsletter Committee. sits idly by and allows any worker to

Page 10—Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other—Page 3 t by Tiffani Koyano and Kristyn Joy LELO emen several areas of base-building ov Hurricane Katrina by Beata Bowen M recruitment strategies, identifying campaign planning, A er potential leaders, framing issues, lds rong political analysis and networking. Bui St campaign work, and relationship- After undergoing a major re- Relief Update building across community lines, ELO’s history is organization last spring, LELO has the organizations were also able to based on real peoples’ taken steps to implement base- “L look at each other’s practices and onths after Hurricane Katrina devastated people of New experiences,” said building strategies aimed at exchange effective skills and ideas. Garry Owens, LELO Board creating a stronger grassroots M New Orleans, the city is still struggling. Orleans, but also an member. “Our popular education membership rooted in working “The purpose of the cluster is to Katrina killed more than 1,500 people opportunity for the process is grounded in a viewpoint class communities of color. As a bring together organizations of and displaced nearly 300,000 of the city’s poorest businesses that were that we – people of color, workers, means to clarify and strengthen its color so we can grow and learn inhabitants. At this time underneath the rubble there throwing usable women – need to be able to see the base-building plan, LELO recently from each others’ weaknesses and are still 987 people unaccounted for and bodies are materials away. He relevance of our lives in the context joined Western States Center’s new strengths,” said Wanda Saunders, still being uncovered. According to Common and members of his of history.” Popular political Base-Building Cluster. LELO member. “I learned that in Ground, a grassroots relief organization stationed in staff drafted a letter the heart of the destruction, 17 bodies of hurricane to 400 businesses in education is a key tool in LELO’s 1 addition to breadth, or numbers, we The Western States Center’s Base- base-building toolbox. also need to develop depth in our victims were uncovered in the past month and a half the Seattle/King Building Cluster is comprised of membership.” alone. New Orleans has not yet recovered. While the County area offering national relief funds can’t find their way to the them fair market For four Saturdays in April, LELO streets of the Ninth Ward, Gentilly and New Orleans value tax relief for members gathered to participate in East (the poorest of the city’s neighborhoods), the their donations. The the “Orange Crane Popular people on the ground have taken matters into their program was a Political Education Series.” The own hands. Organizations such as Common Ground, success. The series’ name is a tribute to LELO People’s Relief Fund, Community Labor United and Committee has been founder, Tyree Scott, who worked Momma D in the Ninth Ward, have been actively able to completely for 20 years maintaining and rebuilding their communities. fill three 40 foot repairing the shipping cranes at the containers and are Port of Seattle. The Orange Crane Through the Puget Sound Katrina now in the process of series is just one “base-building” Relief and Reconstruction filling up the fourth. Latoya Rivera at Seattle’s MLK Day March, calling for Iraq war strategy launched by LELO to Committee, LELO has The containers have funds to be allocated to deepen a political relationship with been organizing help for been filled with table rebuilding after Hurricane its members. New Orleans since day saws, tools, Katrina. “We want our new members to one. Significant help generators, windows, have confidence in their analysis,” came when a bathtubs, plumbing fixtures, various building said Frederick Simmons, a member Teamsters’ Union materials including pallets of sheetrock, as well as a L to R: Jorqe Quiroga, Caron Berrysmith, Moon Vazquez, Fai Mathews, and Frank Reynolds member (and enjoy a laugh during the Orange Crane Popular Politcal Education Series. of LELO’s Board and its Popular nine passenger van and a used Honda Accord. In Education Team. “I tell them that Committee member) addition to material donations, the Committee was The term “base building” can be anchor organizations whose goal is ‘history is not complete until your observed usable able to purchase a $2,500 Lowes gift card to be described as the strategies that a to “develop skills and capacities story is told.’ Political education building materials, shared among the above mentioned New Orleans social justice group uses to ensure that result in a larger and deeper allows working class people to tools and equipment, grassroots relief organizations. A number of that the “real people” they base of support for social justice think critically about our own making its way to our volunteers went to New Orleans during Spring Break represent are truly engaged, active organizing in communities of situations. If we can do that, we landfills through the to deliver the donations and to help in rebuilding. and leading their work. In LELO’s color.” In November 2005, six can build a strong movement.” King County Solid Waste case, our “base” is working class organizations from Washington transfer station. The The fight to rebuild New Orleans isn’t over yet. and poor people of color and and Oregon met to initiate the Tiffani Koyano is a member of the LELO Newsletter Committee, yoga teacher, and college Committee, seeing an There has been increased interest in the Committee women. project and launch a variety of joint program coordinator. opportunity to use what was and thanks to the efforts of our community, the list A good base-building plan enables activities. Joining LELO were the Kristyn Joy is the Education & Membership being thrown away, of endorsers continues to grow. Seattle Young People’s Project, the Coordinator at LELO. approached King County organizations to develop well- rounded leaders who can apply Community Coalition for 1 Western States Center are composed of staff, Executive Ron Sims for help. Environmental Justice, Salem- trainers & consultants whose mission is to build a Beata Bowen their skills in today’s society and progressive movement for social, economic, racial Sims saw this as an was born and raised in Poland and has train the new leaders of tomorrow. Keizer Coalition for Equality, VOZ & environmental justice in the Western states of opportunity not only for the been living in Seattle since 1995. She went to Cuba Hispana and Latinos Unidos Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Committee trying to help the with LELO's EveryWoman's delegation in 2003. Some of these skills include Utah, Nevada & Alaska. outreach, effective public speaking, Siempre. After being trained in

Page 4—Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other—Page 9 Delegation to Mexico Fights Privatization by Laura Soracco Mapping the Link privatization. It will be an Between Debt and opportunity for folks like Dawna Bell and Abdu Rahman Jama to Poverty strategize with their Mexican by Brenda Anibarro counterparts about how workers and communities can fight to Over 100 years ago, Rainier protect public assets. The Avenue, the busy thoroughfare that delegation is specifically recruiting runs through the heart of Columbia the following participants: workers City from South Jackson Street to who have been affected by Renton, was part of a foot trail privatization, low-income walked by the Salish people. The community members, students and trail provided a route between the immigrants. Upon their return, shores of Lake Washington and delegates will design and lead local Elliott Bay. Today, what once was education and organizing efforts to a foot trail is now a bustling road better protect our public assets and surrounded by one of Seattle’s most services and help us stop this trend ethnically diverse and working of privatization. class neighborhoods. The first wave of change to Rainier People’s movements around the world oppose privatization. Delegates will get the opportunity to meet with a wide range of groups Valley came with colonization of the city by white settlers. Later, L: Latoya Rivera, Co-Chairs of the Debt & Poverty Campaign Center R: Lynn in and around Mexico City over the Domingo, Community Organizer Seattle employee, lost her family Italian immigrants came to the rivatization” is a wage job in January 2002 when the course of a week. “They may be “P surprised by the huge size of some valley in search of work in the coal support and incurring exorbitant Institute. In 2004, 27 million new term for many Port signed a 30-year lease with of these organizations, such as El mines. The area witnessed the loss fees and interest rates which workers were uninsured of us. However, we may be familiar Steve Doring Services of America, of its Japanese American with an example of what happens a multinational corporation now in Frente Popular de Francisco Villa compound their debt and create a because not all companies offer (The Francisco Villa Popular community during the forced vicious cycle of poverty. A number health benefits. Not all workers when our jobs, public assets, or charge of the crane maintenance. internment of World War II and the public services are handed over to a “Those were public assets. But the Front),” said LELO Organizer of factors play a role in creating the qualify for coverage and many Ricardo Ortega. “Their 50,000 arrival of African Americans who patterns of debt that is occurring in employees can’t afford their private company. Take the people (Port of Seattle) Commission just were pushed out of the Central of New Holly, a low-income got together and wrote it off,” said members occupy vacant lots in our communities: share of the health insurance Mexico City and force the District by racist housing covenants community in Southeast Seattle Bell. Low wages premium even when coverage is government to turn over ownership following the War. In the last 30 managed by the Seattle Housing The service sector, typically at their fingertips, reports the These cranes were purchased with to the “Frente” to provide housing years, growing Latino, Asian and Authority. A few years ago New underpaid jobs (child care National Coalition on Health our tax dollars and their and start community-owned African immigrant communities Holly residents started receiving workers, security guards, Care. maintenance used to be under businesses. It’s the reverse of have made a home here. Yet many excessively high water bills after a cashiers, etc) is one of the Privatization of debt collection public control. Now that the private privatization. We have a lot to learn residents are struggling to continue collection agency took over fastest growing segments of the Private collection agencies that sector controls our former public from our Mexican brothers and calling the neighborhood home due the billing. “99% of these families U.S. labor force. use higher interest rates are assets, the standards for hiring and sisters.” to rising housing costs coupled with were very low income, didn’t have Discrimination taking over the servicing of workers’ safety are lowered. Four low-wages and a flood of debts cars to wash and lawns to mow, yet Access to livable wage jobs public debts incurred by student years later, Bell is still struggling to from the high cost of medical care, their water bills equaled those of including healthcare and loans, traffic tickets and court recuperate from the loss of her Port For more information about bank loans and other expenses. As people with homes in Beacon Hill,” retirement benefits are often fees. job, “It affected my whole participating in or supporting in many low-income communities said Abdu Rahman Jama, an denied to people of color and Predatory Lending livelihood and took a big toll... It LELO’s Delegation to Mexico across the country, lending and organizer in Seattle’s Somali low-income women because of $25 billion a year is taken from had a financial and emotional Against Privatization, call check cashing businesses offering community. “People didn’t know unfair hiring practices or low-income consumers to pay impact on my family.” Organizer Joyce Yee at (206) short-term, high-interest rate loans anything about privatization before policies. for predatory mortgages, 860-1400 x3 or email her at are popping up all over the payday loans, and other lending this issue. Yet when they found out This fall, LELO’s Tyree Scott High costs of medical care [email protected]. neighborhood. With little or no abuses like overdraft loans, that the reason they were paying International Worker to Worker In Washington State more than other alternatives to provide for excessive credit card debt, and more was because of a private Project will send a local delegation 800,000 residents do not have themselves and their families, many tax refund loans cites the Center company, they felt cheated.” to Mexico to meet with workers Laura Adele Soracco is a member of the people are turning to these health insurance, according to Tyree Scott International Worker to the Economic Opportunity for Responsible Lending. Dawna Bell, a former Port of and community organizers who businesses for immediate financial have faced and defeated Worker Committee. (Continued on page 10)

Page 8— Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other Issue 12: Speaking for Ourselves, To Each Other—Page 5 Leadership Project Fai Mathews, LELO Member “I want the women to be able to play a stronger role in LELO and gain more recognition ’s for the work that we do. Women can bring about some change as

en far as the different actions that LELO might take and the issues we work on. I think we’ll be working harder towards goals that are family oriented. We will frame the issues differently. The Family Wage Jobs Project, for

Wom instance. We know that when

you’re making $20/hour versus $7-10/hour, not just the worker but the whole family benefits.” (Pictured center left) Sylvia Sabon, LELO Member ”If other women could see more sisters getting it together, we could LELO become a role model for them. They would say, ‘The way they are organized, they inspire me.’ And then they would want to join LELO. I’d also like to build more confidence in myself to be able Following our Strategic Planning Retreat in November 2005, women at LELO began meeting to lay the groundwork to talk with other women about getting involved. We have a lot of for a new project to promote and develop the leadership of working class women of color. LELO’s EveryWoman’s issues to work on together, like jobs. When women get pregnant Delegations to Cuba (1999-2003) first opened up a dedicated space for women to organize together. This project they often are afraid to take time off. So they only take six weeks continues that process. Staff organizer Kristyn Joy asked a handful of LELO women, “What are your hopes and and you need more time than that. It’s a struggle to have a family dreams for our new Women’s Leadership and Organizing Project?” Here are their words... and keep your job. It shouldn’t be like that.”

Joyce Yee, LELO Member “I see this project institutionalizing leadership development for women at LELO and further developing our organizing process. We want our women to be given opportunities for Monst*R Esguerra, LELO Board Member growth: to lead political education sessions, not just be a part of them. To lead or chair a committee. To join the board… I also hope we “Throughout history we have had such a hard time integrating can have a space for women to share their the rights for different oppressed groups – people of color, women, stories and support each other around, for poor people, queer folks, etc. A criticism of many past movements – the example, workplace struggles. First we would suffragist movement, civil rights movement, etc. – was that women of help women develop advocacy skills, and then color weren’t able to fully identify or have full access to leadership, later the organizing and political education because of the focus on either race or gender, but not both. Half of our pieces. And LELO would begin addressing selves have been ignored! I want to see LELO become a stronger issues that are particularly pertinent to women example of how to address these issues simultaneously, in a way that – because of course we already bring them organizations and movements haven’t been able to do in the past.” here.”

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