A few weeks ago, Little America Hotel in Flagstaff was forced to fire 18 employees who did not provide adaquate documentation of legal residency, as defined by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

The termination of the workers was immediate and the hotel offered no severance package. The workers, with a large group of supporters delivered a letter to the president, on behalf of the workers and The Repeal Coalition. The letter was delivered by Joel Olson, NAU political science professor, and part of the Repeal Coalition. The central goal of the coalition is to repeal all anti-immigration laws in support of a world where people can live, love, and work anywhere they want.

But despite how folks feel about immigration, this is about respect for worker’s dignity.

Katie Curren, a local film-maker and member of Repeal posted this video of the action.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Sept. 14, 2011) ST. MICHAELS, Ariz.—The Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission will hold a public hearing to give Navajo citizens an opportunity to give oral testimony, written information, or send written testimony to NNHRC about Dook’o’osliid as they relate to use, need for preservation, protection and other issues on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Flagstaff, Ariz.

NNHRC is established under the legislative oversight of the Naabik’iyati’ Committee of the 22nd Navajo Nation Council.

NNHRC advocates for recognition of Navajo human rights and directly networks at the local, state, national and international level to assess the state-of-affairs between Navajos and non-Navajos by conducting public hearings. NNHRC also investigates written complaints involving discrimination of Navajo citizens and addresses the public about human rights and the Navajo Nation’s intolerance of human rights violations.

The mission of the NNHRC is “[t]o protect and promote the human rights of Navajo Nation citizens by advocating human equality at the local, state, national and international levels based on the Diné principles of Si’a Naaghai Bik’eh Hózhóó, Hashkéejí, Hózhóójí and K’é.” The Diné principles translate to being resilient, content, disciplined and maintaining peaceful relationships with all creation.
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If a willing participant cannot make the hearing, NNHRC will accept a written testimony by mail. Be sure to include your full name, date, and chronological history of events pertaining to your concern about sacred sites, also, state the problem, and state the solution you want if you have one to recommend. Send your testimony to: Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission, P.O. Box 1689, Window Rock, AZ 86515.

For more information, call the NNHRC at (928) 871-7436 or visit the NNHRC website at www.nnhrc.navajo-nsn.gov.