1199ers in New York City assembled near City Hall on June 9 to raise their voices in protest against the unjust assault and detention of SEIU California President David Huerta by ICE the previous week. This rally was part of a larger movement of union members taking action from coast to coast because an attack on one is an attack on all of us.

“These violent arrests by federal agents are a blatant attack on the constitutional rights of every worker and every immigrant in this country; they run afoul of the most basic principles of free and democratic societies,” said 1199SEIU President Yvonne Armstrong. “Our labor movement will continue to resist the Trump administration’s indefensible attacks against immigrant communities, which are tearing families apart, stoking hatred and bigotry, and disrupting our economy.”

Huerta, a US citizen and longtime labor leader, was protesting the aggressive ICE raids throughout Los Angeles when he was arrested. Attending a rally himself, he was injured while being pushed to the ground by agents, who detained him without just cause. He was later released on a $50,000 bond. However, as this edition was going to press, he still faced conspiracy charges for impeding a federal officer. The felony charge carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Elizabeth Rodriguez, an 1199 Senior Clerk at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, said at the NYC rally: “The way David was treated was just wrong. He was slammed to the floor and wrongfully detained. Living in NYC, we’re seeing a similar situation. People are being arrested and detained without due process. It’s unacceptable.” Alicia Tucker, a home health

"worker with Personal Touch, has been a 1199 member for 28 years. Originally from Ecuador, Tucker is now a US citizen. She added, “I’m here to support immigrants because I’m an immigrant myself. There is so much discrimination against immigrants right now. It has to stop.”

Another immigrant 1199er, Sheike Ward, an 1199 Activities Aide at The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Great Neck, who was there to show her solidarity said, “I was once an immigrant and I’m thankful to 1199. The Union assisted me with my citizenship, so that I can be out here speaking freely. I want my immigrant brothers and sisters to know they are not alone. They deserve a chance to be in this country. I got that chance and I’m here to support each and every one of them.”