"Illegally held against their will, denied access to telephones, attorneys and even bathrooms"

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.union-network.org/UNIsite/Sectors/Commerce/Activities/UFCW_reaction_against_immigration_raids.htm

"Illegally held against their will, denied access to telephones, attorneys and even bathrooms"
UFCW reacts strongly against mistreatment of migrant workers during US government raids

Members of UNI Commerce affiliate United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) have joined with community groups, civil rights leaders and immigrant rights activists to condemn abuse and misconduct by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Across the country, ICE enforcement teams have used unwarranted physical force to illegally detain workers in misguided attempts at enforcing failed U.S. immigration policies.

The national meeting today (16.08.2007) was held to hear workers' testimony, many of whom were illegally held against their will, denied access to telephones, attorneys and even bathrooms.

Joe Hansen: " Excessive show of force "

- The excessive show of force—the abusive conduct, the disregard for individual rights and the lack of concern for working families—it would make you think this incident occurred in a foreign country or in a distant era, said UFCW International President Joe Hansen in convening the meeting.

- But, unfortunately, the ICE raids happened in America's heartland in our times. It happened to America's workers—to our brothers and sisters. It happened to our fellow Americans, native born and immigrant.

Workers were denied access to telephones, bathrooms and legal counsel. Citizens and legal residents were denied the opportunity to retrieve documents to establish their legal status. Some were handcuffed and held for hours. Others were shipped out on buses.

FULL story at link.

[annabanana]

1. This really deserves GD visibility.

People really don't want to believe this happens in America.