Day Laborers Celebrate a Victory

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Supreme Court Justices have turned down an appeal from the city of Redondo Beach. The city cannot arrest people soliciting work on street corners. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), celebrated the victory at its national assembly this morning.

"This is pretty monumental," said Marisa Franco, one of the network's campaign coordinators. "It sets a precedent across the country that day laborer corners are open for business."

She was joined by a former day laborer, Maria Marroquin, who also applauded the court decision. "I believe all this is going to be one of the brightest or the most brilliant parts of our history in upholding the rights of the people who are just trying to find a better life."

NDLON's legal director, Chris Newman, says finding work isn't the only problem for these people. "Fifty percent of all day laborers have gone to work at least one time and not been paid, so they've been victims of wage theft," he said.

The city of Redondo Beach claims drivers are the ones being victimized. They say up to 75 workers crowd busy intersections, and allowing them to solicit work on streets has caused major traffic problems.

Franco isn't fazed, and is looking forward to building on today's victory. "Following this, we're going to continue to expand workers' centers, which for us are actually living symbols of legalization from the bottom up," she said.

Lawyers for Redondo Beach could not be reached for comment.