83 ARRESTED PROTESTING INS ROUNDUP

By Imani Henry
New York City

On May 5-7, police arrested 83 anti-war activists for blocking the
entrance to the Jacob Javits Federal Building here, home of the offices
of the infamous Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Initiated by local people of color community and immigrant rights
groups, the three days of actions were endorsed by more than 56 local
and national social justice organizations.

These groups included Blacks Against War, Desis Rising Up and Moving,
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, AIDS Hous ing Network, Harlem Anti-
War Coali tion, CAAAV: Organizing Asian Com munities, Malcolm X
Grassroots Move ment, Audre Lorde Project, Nodut dol-For Korean
Community Develop ment, United for Peace and Justice New York and New
York ANSWER- Act Now to Stop War & End Racism.

Now under the auspices of the Office of Homeland Security, the INS has
gained more money and muscle to carry out raids, detentions and
deportations at an alarming rate. Unknown thousands of South Asian and
Muslim immigrants have been kidnapped, held in detention indefinitely
without legal representation or contact with family.

These round-ups have led to protests in various cities--because of the
racist nature of the registration and the detentions and deportations
that have followed.

Since January 2003, the INS has forced Muslim and Arab men from 25
countries--those 16 years old and up who do not have citizen status--to
register or face deportation. April 25 was the deadline for Muslim
registration.

The May 5-7 protests here were a display of multinational unity and
lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans solidarity.

Protesters chanted, "No more profiling, no more war," and, "Open the
borders, close the INS," to make their solidarity clear. This drew many
positive responses from the hundreds of people waiting to get into the
INS offices.

With many people of color with responsibilities on tactical leadership,
the vast majority of arrestees were white non-immi grants. Many lesbian,
gay, bi and trans activists were part of the actions. And the
overwhelming majority of arres tees over the course of the three days
were women.

While organizers cheer this show of unity, the New York Police
Department and the judicial system did everything in their power to
exploit the oppression of the protesters.

According to a statement by the group, most people of color and LGBT
people were detained overnight. Others were released after six hours.

Organizers also charged the NYPD with use of excessive force and anti-
gay bias.

The next call to action is May 19, when a rally and march are planned
for the Times Square military recruitment center.

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