Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride Aims to Raise Awareness of Low Pay, Dangerous Working Conditions

Interview with David Glaser, national director of the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride, conducted by Scott Harris

In an echo of the freedom riders who risked their lives in the South during the 1960s struggle for civil rights, almost 1,000 immigrants boarded buses in ten cities in late September, headed for New York City and Washington, D.C. The goal of the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride, as it's called, is to raise awareness about the low wages, dangerous working conditions and exploitation often encountered by immigrant workers. Groups supporting the Freedom Ride, who include labor unions, churches and civil rights organizations, are also calling for the legalization of the estimated 8 million to 10 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S.

The buses will bring the immigrants and their supporters first to the nation's Capitol for meetings with congressional representatives before proceeding onto New York City, for a major rally to be held Oct. 4 at Flushing Meadows Park in the borough of Queens, home to one of the most ethnically diverse communities in America.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with David Glaser, national director of the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride, who discusses the caravan, public attitudes toward immigrants after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the stake the labor movement has in the future status of immigrant workers.

Contact the Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride by calling (202) 661-4204 or visit their website at www.iwfr.org

Related links


*"The Road to Citizenship: Immigrants and unions get on the same bus," by David Moberg, In These Times, Sept. 23, 2003
Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch at "Freedom riders hope to win support for foreign workers," by Diane Smith, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Sept. 20, 2003

*"Freedom riders highlight plight of immigrant workers," by Jim Cour, Associated Press, Sept. 23, 2003

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