No One Is Illegal – Toronto, May 31 2011

“Thank you. To all the people that signed petitions, that came out to rallies, all the organizations that have supported me, Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The detention centre is still full, with kids and families. It’s not fair. It’s not fair that police are working with immigration to arrest people. We need change now. I hope that people in the community will continue to fight for justice for immigrants and refugees.” Alvaro Orozco, May 31, 2011

No One Is Illegal – Toronto joins Toronto’s queer and arts community in celebrating the upcoming release of Alvaro Orozco from immigration detention. Alvaro has been in detention since Friday, May 13th, after being racially profiled and arrested by Toronto Police outside Ossington station. Alvaro Orozco’s Humanitarian & Compassionate application for immigration status was approved late Tuesday afternoon and he will be released back to his community on Wednesday.

Community power, grassroots organizing from St.John’s to Victoria, and Alvaro’s inspiring resilience in the face of immigration-detention created this people’s victory. Even though most mainstream media outlets refused to cover Alvaro’s story, we were able to organize immense public pressure in the last two weeks. Undaunted by the continuous attacks of the Harper government, and their neo-con agenda, we assert again today that when we fight together, we win.

On Sunday, at 2pm, supporters of Alvaro and migrant justice activists will be meeting in downtown Toronto to celebrate Alvaro’s release and continue organizing for justice and dignity for undocumented queer community members in Toronto. Location to be announced shortly.

We will be updating more information on Wednesday once Alvaro is released. In the meantime, please join our facebook group www.facebook.com/nooneisillegaltoronto and our mailing list https://lists.riseup.net/www/subrequest/nooneisillegal to continue the struggle for Status for All!

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Actions in support of Alvaro Orozco since his arrest on May 13.

MAY 14 – SAT – Community callout, petition and online campaign ‘Let Alvaro Stay’ set-up
Petition: has almost 10,000 signatures
(http://www.change.org/petitions/let-alvaro-stay-in-canada)
Facebook group: has over 1,600 members
(www.facebook.com/letalvarostay)

MAY 15 – SUN – First community meeting
Xtra News: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Gay_artist_Alvaro_Orozco_arrested-101…

MAY 16 – MON – Alvaro Zone at Proud of Toronto at City Hall, video testimonials
Watch the Testimonials:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL63AC9B4B2BC74AA3
Alvaro Speaks from Detention:
http://www.slapupsidethehead.com/2007/09/gay-refugee-speaks/

MAY 17 – TUES – First detention review, denied
Xtra News: http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Orozco_denied_bail_could_be_deported_…

MAY 18 – WED – Press Conference at Buddies in Bad Times
Watch the Video:
http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2011/05/video-in-canada-campaign-steps-up…
Rabble Article:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/johnbon/2011/05/friends-and-supporters-d…
Inside Toronto Article:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1011559–community-ralli…

MAY 18 – WED – Art Show in Montreal set up
See the Event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171938552862467

MAY 19 – THU – Mass postering run; Ill Nana performance at Inside Out opening
See the Video:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10100423757443762&oid=10217118…

MAY 20 – FRI – Dance mob at Church/Wellesley; Interview with Alvaro released; Second detention review, denied
Watch the Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tnSPHPloxE
Interview with Alvaro:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/hussan/2011/05/alvaro-interview
NOW Article:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=180822
Xtra Article:
http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Is_the_government_rushing_to_deport_A…
CP24:
http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110520/110520_Dance_Mob/2…

MAY 23 – MON – All Day Email and Phone Blitz to Kenney and Your MP, Hundreds of people write, call and tweet Jason Kenney
See the Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=201725146538488

MAY 24 – TUE – 5pm Wave of Support from Yonge/Dundas to IRB
Xtra Article:
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/Let_Alvaro_Stay_group_marches_on_gover…
NOW Article:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=180895
http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/2011/05/video-in-canada-campaign-steps-up…
Video of the Rally:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUvU01DZvSs and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JhWLq6d3NY

MAY 28 – SAT – Why Alvaro’s Arrest Matters
Rabble Article:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/hussan/2011/05/why-alvaros-arrest-matters

MAY 30 – MON – Round 2: All Day Email and Phone Blitz to Kenney and MP
Audio Interview:
http://earfulofqueer.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/let-alvaro-stay/

MAY 31 – TUE – Emergency Rally and Press Conference outside 519 Community Centre Pictures from Rally: http://blog.yellowsweatygorilla.com/post/6044191201/let-alvaro-stay-rall…
NOW Article:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/news/story.cfm?content=180939
Xtra Article:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyN54T_XlOk