Funds for English classes as well as safe and affordable housing were the postulates presented by immigrants and local politicians at a rally organized by New York Immigration Coalition in front of the City Hall last Wednesday.

We should be proud to be immigrants! We are the power! And that is clearly evident in the number of us gathered here today said Chung-Wha Hong, from the New York Immigration Coalition, an association of more than 100 pro-immigrant organizations, which estimated the number of participants at the Wednesday rally at 1,500. The immigrants who came to the park in front of the City Hall willingly joined in chanting: “Si, se puede! (Yes we can.); “We built the city!” and waved posters saying, in big letters, “Mayor, keep your promises!”

The participants referred to Michael Bloomberg’s State of the City Address delivered last January, in which the mayor pointed out the immigrants’ immense contribution to the city’s growth. “Now we want to make sure our contribution is not forgotten and that action is taken on urgent issues that are important to our community,” Hong said.

“First of all, we are advocating for better living conditions in buildings where immigrants are most likely to dwell; we want city inspectors to do a better job controlling house owners,” said Leticia Alaria from Mexico. “Immigrants cannot afford nice apartments and are forced to live in worse conditions because they cost less. We are counting on the city’s help in this respect.”

Another issue mentioned during the rally was the need for greater funds for English language lessons and legal advice for immigrants. “I remember that as a little boy I had to translate various school documents to my parents,” recalled Council Member John Liu, one of the speakers at the rally. “I do not want that for immigrants’ kids. The city should provide more opportunities for free English classes and legal services for its immigrants.”

The participants of the rally also demanded a safer work environment, especially at construction sites, pointing out that 75 percent of injuries on the job are those incurred by immigrants. They also advocated for reinstating funds for public schools, arguing that

cuts in education hurt most students who are still trying to catch up with their language skills.

The rally was attended by representatives of more than 60 organizations that support immigrants from South American, the Caribbean, African and Europe countries, as well as China and Korea.