September 8, 2003

Council Endorses Goals of New “Freedom Riders”
Motion Supports Effort to Protect Rights of Immigrant Workers

By bus, they will converge on Washington, D.C. -- immigrant workers from across the country seeking the basic rights enjoyed by all. The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously endorsed the principles behind the “Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride [external link],” an effort to ensure that immigrant workers receive the same protections received by their fellow employees.

“These are men and women who play an invaluable role in both the local and national economy,” said Council Chair Cynthia Sullivan. "All people are worthy of dignity and respect simply by virtue of being human."

Modeled on the historic “Freedom Rides” of the 1960’s, workers from Seattle and eight other cities will join the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. The Seattle riders rally on September 20 and leave on September 23. All participants will converge on the nation’s capitol to talk with lawmakers and then proceed to New York City for a mass rally in Flushing Meadows on October 4.

The Council motion calls for “immigration laws that allow all people appropriate paths to apply for legalization of immigration status and the opportunity to apply for citizenship.”

“Immigrants living in King County make a huge contribution to our community,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “They work here, raise their children—who are citizens by birthright—here, pay taxes, support our schools and serve in our armed forces defending America. On September 23, they will travel as Freedom Riders to our nation’s capitol exercising rights we as citizens possess, but they do not yet have; the right of free association, to assemble peaceably, to petition government for redress of wrongs and to speak freely. We owe them our respect for honoring these freedoms and for trying to find legal paths to citizenship.”

“Immigrants — to whom virtually all of us can trace our roots — are the lifeblood of our nation, a constant source of new energy and ideas,” said Councilmember Dow Constantine, chair of the Council’s Labor, Operations and Technology Committee. “Our immigration laws, while clear and firm, must also be sensible, humane, and just.”

“The diversity of King County is shown by the 40 languages in which we deliver services,” said Sullivan. “The Freedom Ride is a celebration of that diversity and the important role it plays throughout the region.”

Read more about the legislation on the King County Council’s new LEGISEARCH system by searching for “2003-0402”

For more information about the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, visit www.iwfr.org