Bethel Defends Democracy - Built By Many Shores: Honoring Immigrant Workers on Labor Day

Please join us for our 79th consecutive community rally to Defend Democracy in beautiful downtown Bethel. Our overall theme is Defending Democracy. On Saturday, Sept 5th 11am - 12:30pm (90 mins), we will continue to show solidarity with our community ravaged by ICE violence while also paying homage to Labor Day, which is Monday, Sept 7th. Our theme is: Built By Many Shores: Honoring Immigrant Workers on Labor Day (Tip: If viewing on facebook or mobilize, it is easier to read the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oewbx6sWqvFRhY3Bo2A05PdTQtttRZyuwFqIN89TKUw/edit?usp=drivesdk We will be needing extra setup and packup help the next few weeks for the rallies. Please let me know if you can help. ******************** We, as a country, have been here before: Robber Barons, the Gilded Age. Where the workers are exploited for labor, time and energy, where the workers’ lives are disposable in the name of corrupt profit. This Labor Day let’s learn about collective power. Immigrants are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, caregivers, and essential members of our communities. Trump and MAGA politics rely on fear and division. We believe every family deserves dignity, safety, due process, and the freedom to belong. European and other immigrant groups helped build the foundational 19th-century labor movements that led to the creation of Labor Day. Our right, Our Say Our work, our pay OUR LABOR, OUR DAY OUR right, Our Say OUR work, our pay Since the formation of the United States, immigration has helped fill labor supply needs to enable the country to emerge as—and remain—the world’s economic superpower. In fact, the United States’ most prosperous periods coincide with waves of immigration, and to this day, immigrant workers continue to be a key component of the U.S. economy. Immigration is the driving force behind America’s labor supply growth, accounting for about half of labor force growth each year for the past three decades and an even larger share in recent years. 45 % of America’s farming and fishing workers are immigrants. Immigrants fill roughly 30% of American construction jobs. 43% of immigrants make up home health care aides. Immigrants contribute billions of dollars in federal, state, and local taxes, helping support essential programs like Social Security and Medicare. Since January 2025, when President Trump took office, the government’s monthly household survey, officially called the Current Population Survey (CPS), shows an unprecedented 2.9 million decline in the foreign-born population — naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, long-term temporary visitors, and undocumented immigrants. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and economic analysts note that reduced immigration has contributed to near-zero net job creation and sluggish overall labor force growth in early 2026. Critical industries like construction, agriculture, hospitality, and long-term health care are experiencing severe labor shortages. The economic impact: a smaller workforce and slower growth: The National Foundation for American Policy warns of trillions in cumulative lost economic output. Consumer spending is projected to face an additional drop of $10 billion to $40 billion throughout 2026. Prices have been driven up for housing, development, and food. Reduced: needed contributions to support federal and local social programs like Social Security and Medicare. We honor our immigrant neighbors and their essential contributions to the workforce. ICE OUT! ******************** We are always happy when Lorraine McGuire is available to provide live music for our rallies. Lorraine is a local talent, and some of you have heard her before, at the Bethel rallies or maybe when dining out in local restaurants. Lorraine's love of singing and performing started at an early age and included a love of musical theatre. In her college years, she mastered touring New York City schools performing with the Oswego State Singers. In CT she was Karaoke State champ twice and the FM Productions Danbury winner. ************************ See the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oewbx6sWqvFRhY3Bo2A05PdTQtttRZyuwFqIN89TKUw/edit?usp=drivesdk Please don’t attend the rally if you cannot refrain from engaging with agitators. ************ Never miss information about upcoming rallies by registering for our rally newsletter, bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter (case sensitive). You can also provide feedback on what you'd like to see at future rallies. Questions and feedback are also always welcome anytime at: [email removed] Visit our website BethelRallies.org to find videos and pictures from our past rallies. Note: Rally is rain, snow or shine. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair. Approximate Rally Schedule: (Rally will be on Greenwood Ave behind the Bethel Library on the sidewalk and up to 17 feet from the…

• Against Immigration enforcement & deportation “Bethel Defends Democracy - Built By Many Shores: Honoring Immigrant Workers on Labor Day” Machine-labelled, not yet reviewed
• For Taxes & public spending “Bethel Defends Democracy - Built By Many Shores: Honoring Immigrant Workers on Labor Day” Machine-labelled, not yet reviewed
• Against Executive power “Bethel Defends Democracy - Built By Many Shores: Honoring Immigrant Workers on Labor Day” Machine-labelled, not yet reviewed

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