Forward to international events on December 18, 2011!

Many organizations in different countries are already working towards it. Each country, region, city is deciding autonomously what type of event they will hold: it could be a rally to demand legalization for millions of undocumented people around the world, an event to remember the thousands who have died at the borders or in the struggle to defend their rights, a conference about freedom of circulation around the world, or simply an anti-racist party.

We know it is difficult to coordinate events internationally, but now more than ever we are convinced that the situation demands it. States, economic powers and political structures, disconnected with the daily lives of men and women arbitrarily impose their decision through violent means. This is case of the displacement programs and of deportations. It is also the case of the problems that workers confront in their search for work and the multitude of obstacles states placed on them infringing upon their rights to migrate to the country they choose.

This is why what will unite all these events will be our decision to affirm the right to migrate or not to migrate, the right to choose where we want to live, and not to be displaced from our own territories.

This dream can become reality if we are many in the struggle and we fight together. The event of December 18 wants to be another common space to be used by all those among us who already struggle for the rights of migrants, refugees and displaced people.

We are therefore inviting all organizations whether religious or non-religious, unions, political organizations, and the civil society at large to make this international initiative a success.

A worldwide movement to struggle for migrants, refugees and displaced people is possible!

How the Idea of a Global Day of Action Was Born

In many occasions, during different meetings at the World Social Forums or in other events, the movement in support of migrants, refugees and displaced people has verified the need of global action because the enemy we confront daily is also global. Actions of this type could also represent an important step toward becoming a worldwide movement.

This is why during the World Social Forum for Migrations in Quito, Ecuador (2010) and in the World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal, last February 2011 (see :: statement as pdf), we discussed and decided upon carrying out A Day of Global Action Against Racism and for the Rights of Migrants, Refugees and Displaced People. We chose the date December 18, 2011, because this is when the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

Additionally this global event also wants to contribute to presenting the :: "World Charter of Migrants" approved at an international meeting in Gorée on February 4, 2011.

Source :: globalmigrantsaction.org