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Unions, Families Rally For Immigration Reform In White Plains

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Those leaving work in downtown White Plains on Wednesday afternoon may have heard chants of “Si se puede” as the nation’s largest property service workers union held a rally for immigration reform.

Immigration reform rally in White Plains

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly

Immigration reform rally in White Plains

Photo Credit: Brian Donnelly

Hundreds gathered at Martine Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard as part the National Day of Action. Stephanie Ramos, spokeswoman for 32BJ SEIU, said the union also had rallies Wednesday in Stamford and Hartford, Conn., and Washington D.C.

On Tuesday, it held rallies in Danbury, drawing about 250 people; New Haven, drawing about 400 people, and Bridgeport, drawing about 150 people. It also held rallies April 6 in New Jersey and Miami. 

The chant, roughly meaning "Yes, it can be done" is the motto of the United Farm Workers created by Cesar Chavez.

“We want to make sure we put enough pressure on Congress and President [Barack] Obama to pass common sense immigration reform this year that includes a pathway to citizenship, keeps families together and strengthens workers’ rights,” Ramos said.

The union has about 5,000 members in the Hudson Valley, half of whom are immigrant workers, Ramos said. On Wednesday, many rallied in White Plains.

A proposal that includes a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States is expected this week and could go to a committee hearing as early as next week, the Washington Post reported.

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