A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition Statement Supporting Ex-Bracero Workers
Aug. 19, 2005.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition is proud and honored to be here today to demand justice and fair compensation for the ex-bracero workers, who have waited decades to receive what they are owed. We thank the Bi-National Braceroproa Alliance and Latino Movement USA for inviting us to participate in this important international day of action.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition stands with the ex-braceros and fully supports their just demands. Each and every one of these men and women has the right to fair compensation, dignity, respect, and an apology from the United States and Mexican governments for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from their paychecks from 1942 to 1964.

The ex-braceros have been organizing and struggling for economic justice for many years. Their unceasing struggle has revealed not only the terrible historic injustices done to them, but also the continuing inhumane U.S. immigration policies that criminalize people who come to this country to find work and feed their families.

The struggle of the ex-bracero workers has exposed the U.S. and Mexican governments, and their corporate allies, for collaborating to enrich themselves at great cost to the workers who earned money for them. The ex-braceros have pointed the finger at politicians like Mexican president Vicente Fox and said "we will not be exploited anymore-we demand justice."

Today, we echo that demand. The Mexican government must do what is right and reopen registration to allow all ex-braceros and their families to be fairly compensated for the money taken from them.

On September 24, the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, along with tens of thousands of progressive people throughout the United States, will march in the streets of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. to demand an immediate end to the unjust war and occupation of Iraq. We will also raise solidarity with the ex-braceros and demand fair compensation for their work.

We also demand, from now until they are free, the immediate release of the 10 braceros that were beaten and arrested on Wednesday by the Mexican federal police. This act of intimidation and brutality will not go unnoticed by the progressive movement in the United States.

The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition will continue to struggle shoulder to shoulder with the brave ex-braceros until the fight is won. Their struggle is our struggle. Their fight is our fight. Together we will win.

¡Hasta la victoria siempre!

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition-LA 323-464-1636 AnswerLA.org