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June 2, 2010

Youths Stage Hunger Strike to Urge Support for DREAM Act
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Here in New York, a group of immigrant youths have begun a hunger strike
outside the offices of Democratic Senator and Senate Immigration
Subcommittee chair Charles Schumer in support of the DREAM Act, which
would grant the children of undocumented immigrants a path to legal
status. The students want Schumer to propose the DREAM Act as a
standalone bill.

Jose Luis: "I’ve been in this country for twenty years. And in those
twenty years, my hope has always been the same: become a better human
being, become someone who is productive to our society. What do we want
for this country? What do we want for our society if we’re denying the
education to these 65,000 students across the country? I ask Senator
Schumer today, wouldn’t you pass a legislation that would benefit your
son, your daughter? Wouldn’t you pass a legislation, wouldn’t you
promote a legislation that would make your country stronger?"

Earlier today, police began removing the youths from the street outside
Schumer’s office. Online messages posted by the New York State Youth
Leadership Council say the hunger-strikers will refuse to abandon their
protest.



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