On Friday June 13th starting at 4:00pm, day laborers, supporters, day laborers from Casa Latina in Seattle, community organizations, Mayor Tom Potter, City Commissioner Randy Leonard gathered to celebrate the historic inauguration of Portland’s first day laborer hire site.

There was a soccer game, food and music made by day laborers, even posters featuring art made by day laborers that were dedicated and given to the Mayor. Between applause, tears, smiles and the ribbon cutting by the Mayor, the opening of the center on June 16th was made official. See more photos on Flickr.

Between chants of “Si se pudo!” and “Arriba los jornaleros!” we united with around 60 other centers throughout the country. Together we have had success creating more secure and humane alternatives for day laborers to find jobs in a safe and professional environment.

You can help further this great achievement by hiring a day laborer during the next few weeks. A job will help fulfill their immediate needs and help them be able to feed themselves.

For the day laborers there is no job too big or too small. Please call 503-752-3619 or you can personally sopt by 240 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

On the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of June, VOZ and the National Day Labor Organizing Network will be hosting the second annual gathering of day laborers from Seattle, Portland, and Cornelius. In addition to soccer tournaments and a night of music, art, and cultural events, participants will discuss organizing efforts, national immigration legislation, and the recent growth in raids across the country.