Statement in Solidarity with
May 1st International Workers Day

[oprima aquí para español]

Whereas, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) is committed to respecting civil and human rights for all peoples; and

Whereas, EHC works in communities of color to fight environmental injustice throughout the world, and sees the disproportionate suffering that is brought upon those communities by the negative impacts of globalization and unfair trade agreements; and

Whereas, EHC acknowledges and honors the contributions made by ALL workers across the world on May 1st International Worker Day; and

Whereas, the current free trade model has had devastating economic effects, among them impoverishing farmers and other workers who abandon their families and communities to seek opportunities in the United States; and

Whereas, immigration policies based on building walls and criminalizing immigrants as well as those who provide services to them are detrimental to the well being of all members of our society and do not acknowledge the positive economic benefits all workers bring to the economy of the United Sates; and

Whereas, proposed U.S. immigration polices such as HR4437 undermine civil liberties and escalate economic, political and cultural oppression against all workers.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That:

Environmental Health Coalition is in solidarity with:

• All the diverse forms of expression that are aimed at showing the positive economic impact that immigrants have on this country,
• All efforts that seek equality for all peoples,
• Celebrating May 1st as International Workers Day. In observance EHC offices will be closed.

• We encourage all of our members to join us in celebrating Interntional Workers Day. Local events on May 1st, 2006 in support of international workers include:
  
• March & Rally: Larson Park (Cesar Chavez Community Center) 455 Sycamore Road in San Ysidro at 12:00pm sponsored by March 25th Coalition against HR4437 San Diego
• International Workers Day Forum: Senior Center, 30th and Oceanview, Barrio Logan, from 6:00-8:00pm sponsored by the Raza Rights Coalition
• Rally and Candlelight Vigil: Balboa Park, corner of 6th and Laurel St. San Diego, from 5:30-7:30pm sponsored by San Diego Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
• March & Rally: “Centro Comercial Las Brisas” in Boulevard Diaz Ordaz in Tijuana at 12:00 (the march will proceed to the American Consulate in the Colonia Hipódromo) Sponsored by la “Otra Campaña” in Tijuana
• We call on Congress to oppose the current model of Free Trade, and
• We urge all of our members and allies to contact their congressional representatives and urge them to VOTE NO against all NAFTA style free trade agreements currently being negotiated including the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreements and the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement

Environmental Health Coalition would like to take this opportunity to reflect on a quote by Reverend Jessie Jackson speaking in support for workers across the world.

“He’d [President Bush] increase enforcement at the border, but create a guest worker program so that employers could ship low wage immigrants in, so long as they promise to boot them out when they’ve finished exploiting them”

“When employers brought slaves to America, few objected as long as they were prepared to work without wages and without rights. When they began to demand equal rights, all hell broke loose. No one minded when Mexican Farm workers came to pick the crops, do the lawns, clean the houses. When they started to demand the right to citizenship, to vote, to organize – the furor started.”

“We passed a treaty called NAFTA with Mexico and Canada and guaranteed rights to employers and investors but not to workers. The results have been catastrophic. Wages in Mexico, the United States and Canada have fallen. Mexico now exports more cars to the United States than the United States exports to the world—all made by U.S. companies benefiting from cheap labor in Mexico. And U.S. food exports have displaced millions of poor Mexican peasants and driven them from their communities. They don’t come to the United States because they want to leave their homes. They come desperate for work.”

• All people have the right to live, play and work in a safe and healthy environment.
• All people have the right and responsibility to act to correct environmental damage and prevent future degradation.
• EHC represents the public interest and takes direction from the communities we represent.
• Communities of color and poor communities are disproportionately affected by toxic materials used in the workplace and discharged into the air, land and water.
• Pollution prevention is the most effective approach to addressing the toxics crisis.
• EHC supports the integrity of ecosystems and recognizes human dependence on them.
• EHC promotes community and worker right-to-know about toxic chemicals.
• It is the government's duty to enact and enforce laws to safeguard the environment, worker and public health.