Workers in Mississippiprotest ICE factory raid
BY SUSAN LAMONTAND CLAY
September 15, 2008
The Militant
DENNISON LAUREL, Mississippi—More than 50 workers held silent protests outside the gates of the Howard Industries plant August 28 and 29, demanding the company turn over paychecks owed to some 595 workers arrested August 25 in a massive immigration raid at the company’s plant here.
Workers organized the protest with help from the Mississippi Immigrants’ Rights Alliance, which is aiding with legal defense for the workers and assistance for their families. The group says the protests will continue until workers get their checks.
The company released some checks the first day. However, when workers returned August 29 signs were posted that the company would not release any more checks, regardless of identification. Several pickets reported that some U.S.-born workers coming out of the plant embraced them and expressed concern about what had happened.
The mass arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), make this the largest single worksite raid to date.
Most of those arrested are being held at the federal detention center in Jena, Louisiana. About 100 workers were released to care for small children or other family members. They must wear GPS ankle bracelets and cannot return to work or leave the state.
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