ARTESIA, CA: On September 11, South Asian Network (SAN) organized a demonstration at the corner of 186th and Pioneer Blvd., in Artesia, (a.k.a. “Little India”) to raise awareness and mobilize against hate crimes/discrimination, deportations, detentions, and government surveillance.

The community continues to face these and other human rights violations six years after September 11, 2001. The demonstration was followed by a candlelight vigil to remember those who have died as victims of hate crimes, in detention centers, and while crossing the border.

SAN and community members present at the demonstration denounced the following government policies targeting the South Asian and immigrant community:

- Since 1996, 1.5 million immigrants have been deported from the US. This includes undocumented immigrants, visa holders, and legal permanent residents;

- ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement) has used widespread raids to terrorize our community.

In just one month, (August-September 2006), ICE arrested 5,956 immigrants around the country;

- There are over 27,500 immigrants jailed in immigrant detention centers every day;

- 62 immigrants have died in federal immigration custody since 2004, mostly due to the lack of medical attention;

- Since 1994, over 4500 migrants have died trying to cross the US Mexico border;

- Policies such as the Patriot Act, INS Special Registration, and extensive background checks have targeted South Asians and made it easier for the government to detain and deport all immigrants.

SAN calls for the South Asian community to further mobilize against the abuses we face and to join with other communities (including African American, Latino, Asian/Pacific American and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people) to stand up against racism, anti immigrant policies and other forms of oppression confronting us.

SAN Civil Rights Unit Coordinator, Shiu Ming Cheer states, “We must raise our voices and defend our rights to end human rights abuses.” SAN will be holding a community townhall on November 5, at the Artesia-Cerritos United Methodist Church from 12:30-3:30 pm to provide space for community members to share their stories, speak out and strategize on collective actions the community can take to exercise and defend our rights.