Radical Doula

It’s May Day. This holiday of sorts has a long history:

At its national convention in Chicago, held in 1884, the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions (which later became the American Federation of Labor), proclaimed that “eight hours shall constitute a legal day’s labor from and after May 1, 1886.” The following year, the FOTLU, backed by many Knights of Labor locals, reiterated their proclamation stating that it would be supported by strikes and demonstrations.

In the past few years, because of the seriously anti-immigrant climate, May 1st has been a day for HUGE immigration rallies and marches. This year these marches are happening again, despite some violence on at a rally last year in Los Angeles.

Many people have been reiterating this for a long time, but in light of recent discussions, I want to make it clear: immigration is a feminist issue. It’s a human rights issue. The abuses that have been going on as of late: immigration raids, jails being used as detention centers, families being separated, they matter a lot to me, as the child of immigrants and as a feminist.

So in honor of May Day and the immigration rights movement here is some suggested reading:

The Unapologetic Mexican
Why Immigration is a Matter of Reproductive Justice
An Anti-Trafficking Activist’s Agenda
ACLU Immigrant rights work
WOC PhD has a good post up with events and a video about immigration myths.

This is by no means comprehensive. Please add your links in the comments.

Cross-posted at Feministing