Workers’ rally ahead of US House hearing on NMI federalization law

Organizers of the workers’ rally set for May 1 say they want their voices heard ahead of a U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife’s May 19 oversight hearing on the implementation of the federalization law in the CNMI.

The workers’ groups want protection for nonresidents during the transition period and a pathway to permanent immigration status.

“Families must not be divided, and our U.S. citizen children must be protected,” said United Workers Movement-NMI president Rabby Syed in a statement.

Friday’s May Day Rally, led by the United Workers Movement-NMI, will start 6pm at the Garapan Fishing Base, to be followed by a march to the American Memorial Park.

Syed yesterday said the confirmed guests, who will speak at the American Memorial Park, are Rep. Tina Sablan, Ed Propst, Ron Hodges, Atty. Steve Woodruff, and Simon Sin.

Besides the United Workers Movement-NMI, other groups participating in the rally are Dekada, Human Dignity Movement, Pilcowa, and the Chinese, Bangladeshi, Nepalese and Korean communities.

Syed said by holding the rally on May Day, guest workers, immediate relatives of US and Federated States of Micronesia citizens and their supporters will be one with millions of people across the globe who will rally for political and social justice.

“The leaders encourage all guest workers, IRs and their supporters to join the rally so that their voices will be heard in Washington, D.C. ahead of the May 19th House hearing,” he said.

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife led by Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo will hold an oversight hearing on the implementation of Public Law 110-229 or the federalization law in the CNMI.

Florida-based human rights activist Wendy Doromal will be bringing thousands of letters from CNMI guest workers, U.S. citizen children of nonresidents, CNMI permanent residents, immediate relatives of U.S. and FSM citizens and supporters to the subcommittee hearing. These letters, along with a written statement, will be her testimony.

“Anyone who supports human dignity and justice can show their support by joining the march,” said Doromal in a statement yesterday. “I am extremely happy that all of the groups are coming together with one voice.”

Ronnie Doca, board chair of the United Workers Movement-NMI, said a special message from Doromal will be read during the rally and KN Mikel of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch) will lead a prayer before the march to American Memorial Park on Friday.

“Our reason to have this rally is not to bring harm or to step into anyone’s toes. We just want to express our rights to voice our concerns to the feds. We came to this island legally and we are paying taxes. For so many years that we have been here, we contributed a lot to the community, like cleanup drives in the beaches and parks,” he said.

May Day, which occurs on May 1, is synonymous with International Workers’ Day or Labor Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.