VivirLatino

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) started a defamation campaign against Victor Toro and the Movement of the Revolutionary (MIR) with recently submitted DHS documents to the US federal immigration court. Victor Toro is facing deportation proceedings and is scheduled for a final hearing on January 11, 2010.

On July 6, 2007 Toro, a Chilean was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol, while on board Amtrak in Rochester, New York. He is in danger of being deported. Victor’s counsel, Carlos Moreno and his supporters are calling for political asylum. If Victor is deported back to Chile, his life is in real danger and he would be separated from his family and friends.

Victor was jailed and tortured because of his opposition to the right-wing dictator Augusto Pinochet government in the early 70’s. Victor was a founder and leader of the MIR , a people’s organization that led many militant struggles for the workers and peasants of Chile. Victor’s past persecution is well documented and his political work has been the subject of books, including Alistair Horne’s Small Earthquake in Chile. Toro was listed along with MIR’s leader Miguel Enriquez and others, as one of the thirteen most wanted people by the Pinochet dictatorship in 1973.

His wife and compañera, Nieves Ayres, is a U.S. citizen and his daughter, Rosita Toro, is a legal permanent resident of the U.S.

Since his arrival in New York Victor has been a dedicated activist in the city including being one of the founders of La Peña del Bronx, a long time community and activist organization. The name La Peña along with the reputation of Nieves and Victor is synonymous with struggles against the war, for workers and immigrant rights, against racism and all social and progressive causes.

The Victor Toro Defense Committee urges everyone to get involved in defending Victor and the MIR. The real terrorists are those who orchestrated the massacre of the Chilean people from Washington. Help spread the word on Victor’s case.

FILL THE COURTROOM JANUARY 11, 2010 12-1pm
26 FEDERAL PLAZA

For more information visit www.may1.info

mage Via / Thomas Good/ Next Left Notes