On the steps of City Hall on September 17th, the countdown to the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride started. Hundreds of immigrants gathered before the mayor's office to show their numbers and determination in striving for equal opportunity, freedom and justice.

”Immigrants built this country and made it an economic power,” said Maria Elana Durazo to loud applause. “We are the essence and the growth engine of this country. Immigrants deserve to be treated the same way as American citizens.”

“What do we want? Better schools, equal rights, and city services in our languages,” Durazo continued. “How shall we accomplish that? Through struggle and through shaping and changing local politics.”

The audience waved their banners with slogans like, "Immigrants deserve equal treatment;” "The Right to Native Language;" "Equal Access to Schools.”

Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride is a national mobilization aimed at gaining the attention of politicians and employers. The issue at stake is the destiny of immigrants. Eight million people live on the margins overshadowed by their problems and often abused by employers.

Legalization of status, citizenship, workers' rights, family reunification, freedom for all—these are the main objectives of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride.

On October 1st and 2nd, immigrants and activists from the major cities of the United States will assemble in Washington. On October 3rd , they will arrive in buses at Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

On Oct. 4th, Flushing Meadows Park in Queens will be the location of the final meeting of immigrants and their supporters in this series of great demonstrations. The choice of this place is not coincidental. Queens is the most ethnically diverse county in the United States. We Polish Americans also need to be there on that day.