‘Even a murderer would have more rights’

About 50 people gathered today to advocate for the workers detained earlier this month during an immigration enforcement raid at the Nutrition Bars Confectioners facility in Cato, a community about 30 miles northwest of Syracuse. 

ICE officers detained 69 people during the Sept. 4th raid at the snack bar manufacturing plant. Some of the workers have already been deported. Others face criminal immigration charges. Some have been separated from their children and sent to detention centers as far away as Texas.

The organizers of Friday’s event in the Oswego County city of Fulton urged state lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act, which would prohibit state and local authorities from disclosing residents’ immigration status.  

“This is a vital step in protecting everyone in our communities,” said Kyle Dzintars, an organizer with Organize Oswego. “New York For All would prohibit local law officials across the state from colluding with immigration officials. It would prevent the county sheriff from aiding and abetting in horrendous work raids like we saw in Cato.”

Neil Barney, of Oswego, said he came to the rally as an ally. His purple shirt read,  “I want for you whatever you want for immigrants.” On his hat, he taped a piece of paper with  “ICE” scribbled across the front. Along with his skull biker mask and biker shades, he held a handmade cardboard sign mounted on a small wood plank that read “CRUEL.”

“A great many of my friends are brown and this just scares me to death,” Barney said. “I’m hoping the numbers grow, and the word gets out, and people that have been on the fence start to display their humanity and their empathy for people. Empathy is not happening right now.”

Barney joined advocates and allies from groups including Rural & Migrant Ministry, Workers Center of Central New York, Finger Lakes Rapid Response, Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network and the New York Immigration Coalition. 

Jessica Maxwell of the Workers Center called on employers to take responsibility for protecting immigrant workers. 

“Even a murderer would have more rights, more access to justice than I do right now as a worker, as a parent who just got up and went to work this morning,” Maxwell said. “That’s not OK. We need our employers to stand up, you know? You don’t get to cry ignorance anymore. You need to wake up.”

Photo by Ella Chan

Jessica Maxwell, executive director at the Workers Center of CNY, spoke out against ICE raids at the gathering.

Marc Alessi, an organizer for the Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network, urged state officials to take action. 

“It’s great that Gov. Hochul came to Cato a week ago and gave a speech,” Alessi said. “But of course, talking doesn’t do anything. Our elected politicians need to do more. They need to take action.” 

“Hochul needs to call a special session right now, pass New York for all acts,” Alessi added.

Photo by Ella Chan

Erin Fiorini, a volunteer advocate at the Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network, hugs a fellow demonstrator during the gathering on Friday.

Speakers encouraged allies to get involved locally.

“Join one of our organizations to be a volunteer, get involved, tell, share the stories that we’re sharing. We have to stand together and stand strong,” said Melina Ivanchikova with Finger Lakes Rapid Response.

The press conference ended with a chant led by Yvonne Griffin of Citizen Action of New York: 

Photo by Ella Chan

Yvonne Griffin looks into the crowd as they call back at her during her call-and-response chant towards the end of the demonstration.

“This is what democracy looks like!” she yelled. “If they don’t give us our immigrants back, what are we going to do?” 

“Shut it down,” the crowd replied. 

— The NewsHouse’s Kathryn Miller contributed to this report.