September 18 – Regularization, Rights, Status For All!

 tagged Actions & Events / Blog
On Sunday we gathered along with the Migrant Rights Network Parliament meets for a provincial-wide action.

On September 18 – one day before the Canadian Parliament returns – we gathered in the thousands to demand equal rights and permanent resident status for all undocumented people, migrant workers, students, families and refugees. A historic regularization program is on the horizon, but we need to take to the streets to ensure that no one is left behind.

Sunday was a grand success. During the peak period of the event, we had as many as 70 people who came out to share their stories and join their voices in the call for Status For All. The conversation wasn’t just limited to the people on the mic. As I wandered around, I heard meaningful conversations happening between attendees. Several attendees from the neighbourhood came by to check us out, stayed for the food, and then best of all, asked to sign the petition. 

This was the one, ALL OUT!

We had fun, a variety of cultural dishes, performances, and speakers throughout the afternoon event! 

This event could not be possible without the support and hard work of some amazing volunteers and community organizations like Crocodile Printing & Signs and the Afro Women and Youth Foundation!

A huge thank you to all the amazing restaurants involved, you will have to head over to check them out! Sukhdev Restaurant, Cuisine Tropicale and Flames Caribbean Kitchen as well as a few others such as Sudbury’s Popular pizza contributed their own cultural additions to the mix. We enjoyed Jollof rice from Cuisine Tropicale, along with amazing Jerk Chicken and Festival from Flames. Sukhdev’s Restaurant went all out with different types of vegetarian curries, rice, and other delicious treats!
 
 
We cannot miss thanking the amazing speakers who shared their stories, realities, and voice!
 
Miigwech to Knowledge Keeper Jeanette who opened our ceremony allowing us to bring attention, connection, and gratitude for the land we gathered on.
 
Speakers such as Jay-Jay, a representative for the Migrant Rights Network, Lucky I., a local migrant worker and volunteer here at the Workers Centre, and Badesha K.S., a local migrant worker and Entrepreneur spoke about their own, separate journeys to Canada. Each shared stories and talked about the financial, social physical, and emotional strains it had on each of them and their loved ones as well. Tracy G. Executive Director at SWANS Sudbury spoke shared a few stories of Migrant Sex Workers in Sudbury, as well as shining a light on Butterfly.
 
We were honoured to hear Tonye I., Co-Founder of Afro-Fest Sudbury shared her story, of dealing with the struggles of the lack of access to adequate healthcare for her and her family, “I remember nights I could not make the payments…” Speaking to payments and taxes migrants must pay, without access to rights and protections. 
And Fionna T., Representative for Flour Mill Community Farm, spoke to the realities of Migrant Farm Workers, emphasizing the extremities of COVID, and urging folks to take action now.
 
 
Take a look at the day below!