June 20, 2005
Walk for Truth, Justice, and Community a Complete Success

[Photos from the Walk...]

From June 12-17th, over 120 people marched 55 miles from Salem to Portland, Oregon. The Walk for Truth, Justice, and Community was a historic grassroots mobilization that united immigrants, farmworkers, rural and urban Oregonians, the GLBT community, and peace groups in a call for justice and a push back against attacks on Oregon’s most vulnerable communities.

Cosponsored by CAUSA, Rural Organizing Project, and Oregon Action with significant support from groups such as PCUN, the walk called for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, worker’s rights, the withdrawal of Oregon troops from Iraq, marriage equality and civil rights, and adequate funding of social needs.

The Walk for Truth, Justice, and Community marked an unprecedented collaboration between rural Oregonians and the immigrant community. In addition to a multi-issue platform, 17 languages and 29 of Oregon’s 36 counties were represented on the march. As the numbers come in, it seems that over 2,000 people traveled to participate in some aspect of the walk.

A kick-off on Sunday, June 12th drew over 1,000 people to the front steps of the state capitol in Salem for a rally that focused on legalizing undocumented immigrant workers and denouncing the Real ID Act.

As walkers made their way to Portland, they participated in actions such as packing the Governor’s office to deliver postcards calling on the Governor to bring the Oregon National Guard troops home. Other events during the week focused on funding human needs and defending of civil liberties and civil rights.

Marchers stayed an evening at the PCUN office for a community dinner and program. During the program, workers from Three Mile Canyon Farms spoke about their struggle to unionize and members of Latinos Unidos Siempre urged passage of tuition equity and the DREAM Act. A dance group organized by Mujeres Luchadoras Progresistas performed for the marchers.

Friday, June 17th marked the final trek from Southeast Portland into downtown Portland. A crowd gathered at Senator Smith’s office to greet the marchers and deliver a message to Senator Smith to support Oregon’s needs and bring the troops home from Iraq. Marchers then took to the streets for dramatic final march into Northeast Portland.

As the walk ended, marchers reflected on the impact of the march and recommitted to working for immigrant and farmworker rights. PCUN wishes to thank our supporters and coalition partners for helping make the Walk for Truth, Justice, and Community the success that it was.