S.A.M.E. tour a huge success

Click on the image above to see the photo gallery.

Toronto – April 23, 2015 – Students Against Migrant Exploitation (S.A.M.E.) recently concluded their annual tour, conducting workshops at more than 80 colleges, universities, elementary schools and community centres in more than 20 cities throughout Canada, the United States and Brazil to bring awareness to the problem of migrant worker exploitation.

Over the course of six weeks, S.A.M.E. directly engaged with more than 15,000 students in person and over 75,000 through social media, raising awareness on numerous topics including human rights, respect for migrant workers, and educating young people on the plight of migrant workers.

Gathering support from teachers and community leaders, the tour enlisted hundreds of new volunteers to the movement to end migrant exploitation conducting over 90 presentations including presentations in Washington, D.C. and Sao Paolo, Brazil by Sheridan College Chapter President Ricardo Meza.

Workshops also featured several prominent artists and youth groups including Gilda Monreal, community art educators Ruben Esguerra and The Real Sun as well as Anakbayan and several members from the York University, Ryerson University, Brock University and the Jane and Finch Community chapters.

The tour also made a stop at the Brock University and University of Guelph Social Justice Symposium where workers spoke first-hand about their experiences as migrant workers in Canada.

During the tour, the Brock University Chapter also hosted and promoted a rally against the notorious "Four and Four" rule, with over 100 students in attendance protesting the government's plan to deport migrant workers who have been in Canada through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Continuing with their successful #NotMyTomato social media campaign, the group also produced weekly video updates as well as launched their brand new website to bring more awareness to the cause.

"This year was bigger and better than ever, as several schools will be looking to launch chapters in the upcoming school year," says S.A.M.E. co-ordinator Pablo Godoy. "These volunteers understand that labour rights are human rights and that they can make a difference in the lives of migrant workers right here at home."

"The tour helped our goal of educating and empowering youth about the necessity to achieve justice for migrant workers," says Santiago Escobar, who helped coordinate the tour.

Since its launch in 2009, S.A.M.E. has grown into Canada's leading student movement aimed at empowering and engaging youth on migrant worker and labour rights issues. For more information on S.A.M.E. visit their website at http://www.thesame.ca and follow them on social media through their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.