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Georgia “Labor of Love Campaign” Introduced at Atlanta Press Conference, Followed by Delivery of Flowers to Key Georgia Politicians
 

Atlanta (September 12, 2007) – A group of concerned Georgia citizens today announced the formation of a coalition designed to help highlight the significant contributions of Georgia’s immigrant community and to ensure a welcoming environment for immigrants of all backgrounds in Georgia. The “Labor of Love Campaign” made the announcement at a press conference today at Central Presbyterian Church, across from the State Capitol in downtown Atlanta.
 

“We are asking you, the community, and especially the political establishment to open your eyes, ears, and minds and to try to get to know us, your immigrant neighbors. Get to know our love and admiration for this great nation we now call home, our family values, our work ethic, and our commitment to help build a new Georgia. We love the USA, Georgia, and Atlanta, we are here to work and contribute and pursue the American dream. We would like you to see us as your neighbors and partners,” said Teodoro Maus, Co-Founder and advisor to the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR). “Events like the Labor of Love Campaign will allow our people to speak directly to the community at large and bring the immigrant community’s contributions in Georgia to light.”
 

Flowers were delivered to both Governor Sonny Perdue’s office, and to Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle’s office.  U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson’s offices also received flowers immediately following this morning’s press conference. Glenn Richardson, Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, also received flowers from the Labor of Love Campaign. The flowers are to signify the immigrant community’s good will and wish for a continued open dialogue about the issues that concern us all.
 

Jamie B. Hernan, Managing Partner, Hernan, Taylor & Lee, added “The immigrant community’s contributions to Georgia over the past decades have been enormous. Despite a growing animosity against them, immigrants continue to contribute to all sectors of the economy; agriculture, service industries, hospitality, and the construction sector are but a few of the areas where immigrants have helped fuel Georgia's growth.  We need to remember that immigrants’ hard work and effort has been a “labor of love” for the United States…that they have come here because of their love for this country and the opportunity America offers.
 

Gyla Gonzalez, Executive Director of Latinos United of Carroll County, added, “The large majority of Georgia immigrants are Hispanic, therefore, as we kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15^th, we would like to remind people of Hispanics’ and other immigrant groups’ contributions to Georgia’s recent rapid growth.”

The “Labor of Love” kick-off community event will take place on October 28^th in a yet to be determined Atlanta park, where Georgia families from all immigrant backgrounds will gather together to construct a red, white, and blue flower structure to demonstrate our love of and gratitude for the United States of America. 

The “Labor of Love Campaign” is a voluntary grass roots group composed of individual members of Georgia non-profit, business, religious, educational, & political entities who have come together to help highlight the significant contributions of Georgia’s Hispanic and immigrant communities in general and to ensure a welcoming environment for immigrants of all backgrounds in Georgia.

Labor of Love

www.laboroflovecampaign.org