By: Corazon Esguerra
pslweb.org

Racist and discriminatory toys for children requirement dropped

On Dec. 3, the Houston, Texas, branch of the Salvation Army announced they would stop their discriminatory policy of asking parents to provide a Social Security number or some other form of legal documentation to receive Christmas toys for their children. If documentation could not be provided for the children, it was required that at least one person in the household be a U.S. citizen.

The policy reversal came after local and national immigrant rights groups protested against the discriminatory policy.

Over two dozen parents, children and supporters picketed outside a Los Angeles Salvation Army store Dec. 2 demanding a stop to the policy. The Coalition for Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles also held a press conference. Speakers included Juan Jose Gutierrez from Latino Movement USA and Carlos Alvarez, the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s 2010 candidate for California governor in the Peace and Freedom Party primary.

“This is a discriminatory policy that should be overturned now,” said Alvarez. “Parents should not have to verify their legal status or that of their children in order to receive toys.”

Other supporters expressed their solidarity with the families affected by the reactionary policy.

The Associated Press reported that Juan Alanis, a spokesman for the Houston branch of the Salvation Army, admitted that the policy change was due to the protest and press conference held by Latino immigrants and their supporters in Los Angeles.

The Houston Salvation Army initially defended the racist policy by claiming that such documentation was needed to deter fraud and make the best decisions about who to help. They then claimed the only effective way to register families for the program was by getting the Social Security number of a household member, or documentation that the parents were in the process of obtaining citizenship or had come to the United States through legal means.

The immediate response and organized call to action prompted the Salvation Army to drop the discriminatory requirement. This is a victory for undocumented workers and families everywhere. Uniting and coming out into the streets is what made it possible.

Although this is a small gain in the struggle for full equality for all immigrants, it is an important one nonetheless. Looking to the bigger picture, we will continue to struggle for full legalization and equality for all undocumented workers and their families.