Building Sanctuary In Our Movement

Ballots have arrived at the homes of voters across Oregon, and while there are many important ballot measures and candidate races to consider, I wanted to take a moment today to speak specifically and personally to a measure that I know has concerned a great number of people in our coalition.  

My name is Robert Camarillo, I’m the Executive Secretary of the Oregon Building Trades Council, and I also serve as the Immigrant Rights Chair at Portland Jobs with Justice.  Our coalition has endorsed NO on Measure 105, which, if passed, would stand to repeal Oregon’s 30 year old sanctuary state law. Not only is defeating Measure 105 important as a means to protect our current law, but moreover, I believe that a NO vote is important in speaking to what we want to build and become.  

The Labor movement has at our core the value that an injury to one is an injury to all. From the shop floors, construction sites, kitchens and offices, so many of us can call to mind moments in our own working lives where solidarity among workers created moments of sanctuary from unfair treatment.

The proponents of Measure 105 would want to see our vision of solidarity destroyed, to call to the worst of our fears and inclinations. I say no, and that solidarity is built upon defending all workers.

I say that this fight is one we can win, and we will do so by calling to the better angels of our nature. Solidarity will protect and build sanctuary, moving closer towards the just society we envision.  I am proud to be the son of immigrants, I am proud to be organizing in the Labor movement, and I ask that you join me and Portland Jobs with Justice in voting NO on 105.

In solidarity and with hope for the future,

Robert Camarillo