by Warren Goldstein-Gelb in All Ages, Arts and Culture, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Immigration, Politics, Workers' Rights
Posted on May 16, 2010 at 9:37 pm
| May 21, 2010 | ||
| 7:30 pm | to | 9:00 pm |
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Immigrants who gather at Foss Park each morning as early as 5 am looking for work as day laborers are the subject of a new play that will enjoy its community premiere on Friday, May 21st at the Black Box Theater at the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway. The program begins at 7:30 pm.
The new play, “They Don’t Tell You Anything!” will be performed as part of an evening of theater, stories and conversation about the struggles and challenges that many Somerville residents face after they are picked up by contractors each morning to paint or perform demolition work. Written by playwright and English teacher Meryl Becker, the play will be performed by student actors from the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE).
Becker wrote the play in consultation with day laborers, union organizers and worker safety experts. SCALE student actors modified and finalized the play based on their own work experiences. SCALE, The Welcome Project and the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Health and Safety (MassCOSH) are co-producing the event.
The evening will be filled with the stories of Somerville residents, who face working conditions that have literally poisoned members of immigrant families in the city.
Following the play will be a conversation among the audience and the actors, immigrant workers, and safety experts, moderated by the Chair of Tufts Drama and Dance Department, Barbara Grossman. Interpretation assistance in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole will be provided by Somerville High School students who are part of The Welcome Project’s Liaison Interpreter Program of Somerville (LIPS).
“No matter where you are from, you need to know that if you work with chemicals you can get hurt and your family can get hurt,” said Felipe Montarroyos, a Somerville resident from Brazil who plays a painter in the play. “If everyone tried to protect themselves and others, it would be a better world.”
This community premiere of “They Don’t Tell You Anything!” is free and open to the public.
Major funding for this project comes from the Mass Humanities Foundation and the Somerville Arts Council/Massachusetts Cultural Council. Other contributors include Feinmann, Inc. Build/Design, Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS), and Tufts University.
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We do jobs you no want – a true story
The other day, I went to a full service gas station. The wetback in the office looked at me and my car for about 2 minutes before he came out to pump the gas. I gave him my card for the gas and after about 30 seconds he banged on the roof of my car and said “All set”, and gave my card back to me . I’ve checked my account since then (it’s been 5 days now) and there’s been no charge for the gas.
To all illegal (thats ILLEGAL, not “undocumented”) immigrants and their apologists, here’s a great big middle finger for you. This greaser copped an attitude I could drive a truck through. How’s that for the gratitude of an illegal for work “that Americans won’t do”?
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From the L. A. Times
1. 40% of all workers in L. A. County ( L. A. County has 10.2 million people)are working for cash and not paying taxes. This is because they are predominantly illegal immigrants working without a green card.
2. 95% of warrants for murder in Los Angeles are for illegal aliens.
3. 75% of people on the most wanted list in Los Angeles are illegal aliens.
4. Over 2/3 of all births in Los Angeles County are to illegal alien Mexicans on Medi-Cal, whose births were paid for by taxpayers.
5. Nearly 35% of all inmates in California detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally.
6. Over 300,000 illegal aliens in Los Angeles County are living in garages.
7. The FBI reports half of all gang members in Los Angeles are most likely illegal aliens from south of the border.
8 Nearly 60% of all occupants of HUD properties are illegal.
9. 21 radio stations in L. A.. are Spanish speaking.
10.. In L. A. County 5.1 million people speak English, 3.9 million speak Spanish.
(There are 10.2 million people in L. A. County . )
(All 10 of the above facts were published in the Los Angeles Times)
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