For immediate release. Contact Mario Quiroz, mquiroz-AT-casamd.org 240-3532288

Community DEVASTATED BY ANNE ARUNDEL IMMIGRATION RAID to rally AT ICE BUILDING in Baltimore

Community leaders will denounce the social and moral consequences of immigration raids and Demand Halt to Workplace Immigration Raids.

WHAT: Rally in Baltimore to demand ICE stops raids.

WHERE: Hopkins Plaza, 31 Hopkins Plaza, Baltimore, MD 21201

WHEN: Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

WHO: National Capital Immigrant Coalition, Civil Rights and Religious Organizations, Families of Victims.

Silver Spring, MD – Community leaders, civil rights organizations and concerned residents will rally tomorrow in front of ICE’s main office in Baltimore to condemn the detention of 46 workers in Annapolis and call for an end to workplace raids.

On Monday morning, 75 federal immigration agents and 50 Anne Arundel County police officers executed a raid into the office and several homes owned by the largest painting contractor in Annapolis leading to the arrest of 36 men and 10 women. Preliminary interviews conducted with family members have revealed that parents were picked up in front of children and workers with lawful immigration status were detained. The workers were employed on painting jobs throughout the county and included many parents of U.S. citizen children.

At tomorrow’s rally, community and religious leaders will condemn the separation of families and call on Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold to cease celebrating the division of families.

Testimonies from relatives and friends will be available for the media at the rally.