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No Papers No Fear’ Delegation Makes First Stop in North Carolina
Aug 28, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
No Papers No Fear’ Delegation Makes First Stop in North Carolina Towards
Democratic National Convention, Supports Undocumented Immigrants of Asheville
A national delegation of undocumented immigrants visits Western North Carolina to challenge practice of constant police check-points targeting undocumented immigrants and racial profiling and support workers in deportation proceedings, specifically those targeted in the 2011 Shogun Restaurant immigration raid.
Asheville, NC – Over the last six years, immigrants and advocates in Western North Carolina have been organizing against racial profiling, deportations, and the use of police check points targeting Latinos and undocumented immigrants. These practices have eroded the trust between local police and Latino communities. Additionally, in November 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a work place raid at the Shogun restaurant, that has led to 12 workers being placed in deportation proceedings. “We welcome the riders and hope that their visit will let other people know about the injustices that happen here in Asheville,” said Osvaldo Solis, one of the Shogun workers.
UNDOCUNIGHT: UNA NOCHE DE SUEÑOS Y ESPERANZA
UNA NOCHE DE CENA, TESTIMONIOS Y CONVIVIO CON LA JORNDADA POR LA JUSTICIA: SIN PAPELES SIN MIEDO SEGUIDO POR UNA CARAVANA AL RESTAURANTE SHOGUN BUFFET
AN EVENING OF SHARING A MEAL AND STORIES WITH UNDOCUBUS RIDERS FOLLOWED BY A CARAVAN TO SHOGUN BUFFET
WNCCHS FELLOWSHIP HALL
312 HAYWOOD ROAD
ASHEVILLE
Thursday, August 30 5PM
CARAVAN TO SHOGUN BUFFET 7PM
The No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is a national delegation of undocumented people and allies that left Phoenix, Arizona on the anniversary of the state’s implementation of SB1070, July 29th, and is traveling across the country to rally the migrant community to overcome fear and organize to challenge anti-immigrant policies. The No Papers No Fear ride was inspired by actions of undocumented students, such as coming out of the shadows events and civil disobedience actions, that have demonstrated the power and results of communities acting and speaking for themselves. The riders are undocumented people from all over the country and their allies, including mothers, fathers, day laborers, people in deportation proceedings, students, and many others who continue to face threats of deportation, harassment, and death while simply looking for a better life in the only nation many of them know and call home.
More information on the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is at www.nopapersnofear.org, and follow @undocubus on twitter for updates.
More >Save the Date for Thirty Days of Love
Aug 28, 2012
What started as a reimagining of February 14th as National Standing on the Side of Love Day eventually blossomed into a beautiful Thirty Days of Love, bracketed by Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Valentine’s Day.
In 2012, thousands of people reveled in 30 days of justice-and-love-filled actions; engaged in collective visioning, active listening and theological reflection with congregations; participated in service projects; presented courageous love awards to community heroes; attended special Standing on the Side of Love services; and engaged in transformative acts of public witness throughout the month, most especially on February 14—National Standing on the Side of Love Day.
In 2013, we are bringing back the Thirty Days, and we have listened to your feedback! Most importantly, we want to provide ample notice so you can start planning your participation now. So please add these dates to your calendar:
Saturday, January 19th – Sunday, February 17th, 2013
What else do we envision for our next Thirty Days of Love?
- More activities geared for individuals not affiliated with a congregation, and towards children, youth, and young adults.
- A continued focus on the interfaith spirit of the campaign.
- Streamlined communications and resources that are easy to digest.
Do you have suggestions for us? We’d love to hear your ideas for daily activities, exercises, prayers, reflection, and meditations that we might share with the larger community. All ideas—big and small—are very welcome. The Thirty Days of Love is all about collective effort. Send your thoughts to love@uua.org.
Want to get a head start on planning for this year’s events? All of the resources from last year are available on our website.
If you are affiliated with a congregation, you might also think about identifying a small working group within your congregation to focus on planning for the Thirty Days of Love.
The Thirty Days is a wonderful, focused time to connect more deeply with others who are committed to standing on the side of love and to the calls of love and justice. So save the dates today and start brainstorming!
In partnership,
The Standing on the Side of Love Creative Advisory Team
The message above went out on Tuesday, August 27, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here. More >
National Delegation of Undocumented Immigrants Arrives in Georgia
Aug 24, 2012
National Delegation of Undocumented Immigrants Arrives to Georgia as Court Affirms Rights of Police to Verify People’s Immigration Status
The federal appeals court ruled that Georgia law enforcement may check the immigration status of those who fail to produce ‘proper’ identification, as the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice, a group of undocumented immigrants publicly speaking about their status, arrives to work with local communities.
Tifton, GA – Two days ago the United States federal appeals court ruled in favor the section in Georgia’s HB 87, affirming the right of local law enforcement to question people about their immigration status if they are suspected of a crime or fail to produce proper identification. The ruling also blocked several provisions considered violation of constitutional rights and undermining of the powers of the federal government, including the making it a crime to transport, “induce or entice” undocumented immigrants to travel to the state.
The No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is a national delegation of undocumented people and allies that left Phoenix, Arizona on the anniversary of the state’s implementation of SB1070, July 29th, and is travelling across the country to rally the migrant community to overcome fear and organize to challenge anti-immigrant policies. While in Georgia, they will be visiting members of the Comites Populares (CPG) in Tifton, Warner Robins, and Atlanta, relating to Secure Communities programs, deportations, access to education, deferred action, and detention of undocumented immigrants.
Calendar of No Papers No Fear Events in Atlanta
What: No Papers No Fear rally and press conference
When: Friday August 24, 2012; 2:00-3:00 pm
Where: Atlanta Detention Center, 254 Peachtree Street SW, Atlanta, GA. 30303
What: Public testimonies and cultural event
When: Saturday August 25, 2012; 2:00-5:00 PM
Where: 4166 Buford Hwy NW Atlanta, GA, 30303
The No Papers No Fear ride was inspired by actions of undocumented young people, such as coming out of the shadows events and civil disobedience actions, that have demonstrated the power and results of communities acting and speaking for themselves, the riders are undocumented people from all over the country and their allies, including mothers, fathers, day laborers, people in deportation proceedings, students, and many others who continue to face threats of deportation, harassment, and death while simply looking for a better life in the only nation many of them know and call home.
More information on the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice is at www.nopapersnofear.org, and follow @undocubus on twitter for updates.
More >Standing on the Side of Love with Sikhs Across the Country
Aug 21, 2012
Standing on the side of Love at vigil in support of the Sikh community in Sacramento after two Sikh men were shot last year. (Credit: Mary Helen Doherty)
In the wake of the tragic shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin at the beginning of August, Unitarian Universalists and other interfaith partners have made a tremendous showing of solidarity across the country. In addition to the candlelight vigils that were held around the nation, half a dozen religious leaders representing the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign, including Unitarian Universalist Association President Peter Morales, held a press conference to respond to the violence and voice support for the Sikh community. What an incredible outpouring of love.
Here are just a few of the places where UUs are making news:
- “Bishop seeks closer ties among people of faith in wake of Sikh shooting,” US Catholic
- “Central Mass. Sikhs Reeling From Wisconsin Shooting,” Shrewsbury Daily Voice
- “Community members join hands to support local Sikh temple,” NWCN.com
- “Faith community turns out in support of local Sikhs,” Knoxville News Sentinel
- “Faith leaders encourage public lament for Sikh temple tragedy,” LA Times
- “Faith leaders urge Americans to combat attacks on religious minorities,” The Washington Post
- “Faiths Join Together in Support of Sikh Community, Shooting Victims,” Medford Patch
- “Following Shooting At Wisconsin Gurdwara And Destruction Of Joplin Mosque, Religious Leaders Emphasize Solidarity,” Huffington Post
- “Hundreds attend Bay Area vigil in memory of Sikh temple shooting victims,” SFGate.com
- “Hundreds Remember Wisconsin Shooting Victims,” Fairfax Station Patch
- “Interfaith service to offer prayer, support for Knoxville’s Sikh community,” Knoxville News Sentinel
- “Knoxville Sikhs strive to educate after shooting,” WBIR 10
- “Local Sikhs hope change comes after mass killing,” WAVE3
- “Members of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church said time heals,” WBIR 10
- “Public mourning urged in wake of violence against Sikhs, Muslims,” National Catholic Reporter
- “Religious leaders gather to support Sikh temple shooting victims,” Kenosha News
- “TEXAS FAITH: Is the Sikh shooting ‘Christian terrorism?’” The Dallas Morning News
- “Vancouver Sikhs answer violence with kindness,” The Columbian
- “Worship services include prayers for Sikh community,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
An Outpouring of Support for the UndocuBus in New Orleans
Aug 20, 2012
This post was written by Rev. Melanie Morel-Ensminger of the First UU Church of New Orleans
The first thing I want to report on the UndocuBus sojourn with us is the outpouring of love and support for the riders so far! We received so much food to help nurture and sustain the UndocuBus riders that we may have surplus to give away to local homeless shelters at the end of the week! Members and friends of First UU Church, North Shore UU Church, and Community Church UU of the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalist cluster, as well as the staff of the Center for Ethical Living (the non-profit organization formed by the churches in the wake of Hurricane Katrina), stepped forward in typical New Orleans style to make sure that the brave UndocuBus riders were never hungry during their visit to the Crescent City. Local partners, such as the Community Kitchen and the New Orleans Food Co-Op also joined in the effort to keep the riders fed and happy.
Other volunteers gave the riders a taste of the “Race, Class & Recovery” tour of post-Katrina New Orleans that is given to all who stay at the Center for Ethical Living and still others volunteered to help keep the Center clean and organized during their stay.
At the community meeting (Credit: Ted Quant)
Wednesday night at First UU Church, there was a rally and forum in support of the brave UndocuBus riders. In attendance were members and friends of the three Greater New Orleans UU churches and their two ministers (myself and Rev. Jim Vanderweele) as well as members and organizers from the NOLA Worker Center for Racial Justice, the Congreso del Jornaleros, STAND for Justice, Interfaith Worker Justice, representatives from both the Tulane and Loyola University Law Clinics, and local social and racial justice activists.
Well over a hundred people packed into the steamy sanctuary (our elderly A/C system couldn’t cope with the rain and humidity outside and the damp bodies inside). The sanctuary was decorated with colorful banners and posters, and the atmosphere was festive.
After a welcome from Ms. Jacinta Gonzalez, an organizer for Congreso, there were welcomes from both UU ministers. Then, the “No Papers No Fear” bus riders filed into the front of the sanctuary, to a standing ovation by the gathered crowd. The riders received a typical New Orleans welcome, as Congreso members greeted each one and draped them with Mardi Gras beads. What further proof could there be that the Latino reconstruction workers are now true New Orleanians?
At the community meeting (Credit: Ted Quant)
Moving testimony on “Why I Ride” came from the riders, followed by equally emotional stories from Congreso members of their treatment at the hands of local police and sheriffs. African-American members of STAND came forward and proclaimed their solidarity with their Latino brothers and sisters. “Your struggle is our struggle,” said one, to wild applause.
I was then called to the pulpit, where, translated by Ms. Gonzalez, I spoke of the links between the “No Papers No Fear” ride and the civil rights movement of the 1960s, in which First Church had played a significant role. She decried wage theft and the ICE practice of splitting up families by deportation and “disappearances.” I also pledged that the UUs of New Orleans will be good allies in the struggle.
The evening ended on a high note with all participants sharing a delicious dinner and getting to know each other.
Later in the week, there was a Women’s Luncheon on with members from our currently all-female city council to enlist their support in getting the sheriff to stop ICE holds as well as a rally outside the court hearing for the “Southern 32,” a group of laborers who were hired to clean up after Hurricane Ike, denied safety gear for working in toxic sludge, and then not paid the wages they were owed. When they organized a strike, the employer called the police, who then turned them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
More >
