The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride makes a stop in Tulsa

Hundreds of protestors in a caravan to the nation's capital are protesting what they consider the unfair treatment of immigrant workers. It's part of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride. <br><br>They

Sunday, September 28th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Hundreds of protestors in a caravan to the nation's capital are protesting what they consider the unfair treatment of immigrant workers. It's part of the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride.

They made a stop in Tulsa Saturday to offer support to East Indian workers who are suing a Tulsa company for allegedly treating them like slaves. News on 6 reporter Patrina Adger was there when they arrived.

As you know, 52 Indian workers with the Pickle Company are suing their former employer, claiming they were locked in a dormitory, paid below minimum wage and fed substandard food. And dozens of "Freedom Riders" say treatment like this toward immigrants has to stop. The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride is a national group that focuses on the injustices of immigrant workers.

More than 80 Hispanic and Asian immigrants from Los Angeles and Las Vegas gathered outside the John Pickle Company Saturday morning. More than 900 people from across the country are making the 2,500 mile bus trip to Washington DC. Las Vegas resident, Miguel Barrientes, â€œthis is an opportunity to talk about an issue that's taking place across the community with immigrants. The immigrant community has always been here. The Constitution was signed by immigrants. It seems like the immigrant community nowadays is not being respected, not being taken care of as we feel it should."

The group will meet with legislators on October 1st to ask for legalization for the millions of illegal immigrants living in the US, as well as legalization for their family members who remain in other countries.