Posts Tagged ‘Phoenix’

One Click Away from Compassionate, Family-Based Immigration Reform

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Apr 17, 2013

I have been hearing so many amazing stories of Unitarian Universalists making advocacy visits to tell their elected officials that immigration reform must respect the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

In 2010, I marched and later was arrested in Phoenix, AZ, because my faith values taught me that it is wrong to tear apart families and criminalize whole communities. No person is illegal. I stood on the side of love to stop immoral legislation that sadly began spreading from one state to another.

Now finally the moment is here, a once in a generation moment, to pass federal legislation that will create one immigration policy for our nation.

An immigration reform bill was introduced this morning, so now is the time to tell Congress that reform must be compassionate.

You can do that right now, by simply sending this message to your local elected official. Tell them that reform must keep families together.

One of the proudest moments of my presidency was when thousands of Unitarian Universalists witnessed at the Tent City detention center in Phoenix at Justice General Assembly last year calling for an end to detentions and deportations and for reform of our immigration laws.

You and I both know how powerful our voices can be when we mobilize and work together to make real change happen. Click here to add your voice today towards compassionate, family-based immigration reform.

Love has no borders, love keeps families together, love respects the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

In faith,

Rev. Peter Morales
President
Unitarian Universalist Association

The message above went out on Wednesday, April 16, 2013 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

Tags: compassionate immigration reform, comprehensive immigration reform, immigrant families, immigrant justice, Justice General Assembly, Phoenix, Rev. Peter Morales, SB 1070, Tent City, undocumented immigrants, Unitarian Universalist Association, UUA

The Road from Phoenix: Compassionate Immigration Reform

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Feb 25, 2013

This spring, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform. As people of faith, we must raise our voices for an immigration reform bill that promotes justice and compassion, and that keeps families together. Last year, we stood on the side of love in Phoenix, faithfully witnessing against the harsh practices and policies directed against immigrants and their families. What we did in Phoenix was meaningful, but now what? What is next on the Road from Phoenix?

Congress will likely pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) legislation this year and whether it is compassionate in addition to comprehensive depends on how much we and other faith communities influence the outcome.

No matter where you live, you can make a difference in this debate. The first step is to commit to doing an in-district lobby visit, i.e. neighbor-to-neighbor meeting, with your members of Congress. In-district visits are one of the most effective ways to ensure that your voice is heard. Click here for our step-by-step guide to doing an in-district lobby visit.

Your members of Congress will be in their home offices for a “state work period” from March 25 to April 5, so call now and make an appointment to meet with them ASAP. It’s easy to make an appointment to speak with your legislators, and a small group from your community can have a real impact.

Never done a lobby visit before? No worries! Join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition webinar on Monday, March 4 at 4pm ET for an informative presentation on neighbor-to-neighbor visits. Click here and scroll down to “Step 3″ for more details.

With your help, people of faith will play a key role in ensuring that immigration reform is compassionate, and reflects the worth and dignity of all people. Commit to doing an in-district lobby visit today!

In faith,

Susan Leslie
Lead Organizer
Standing on the Side of Love

PS: The first 50 congregations to sign-up will receive a packet of Standing on the Side of Love goodies to support their work–click here to register your in-district visit today!

The message above went out on Monday, February 25, 2013 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

Tags: comprehensive immigration reform, immigrant families, immigrant justice, Interfaith Immigration Coalition, Justice General Assembly, Lobby Day, migrant rights, Phoenix, undocumented immigrants, webinar

FW: Arrested at Arpaio’s Trial, Donate for Bail!

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Jul 25, 2012

The message below went out on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

I had to forward to the email below to you. I’m in awe of the incredibly brave individuals who are coming out as undocumented and unafraid in order to make change in our country. Because of these acts of peaceful civil disobedience, four members of Puente were arrested yesterday at the racial profiling trial of Sheriff Arpaio in Phoenix. All four are still in jail and will be arraigned this morning.

Please take the time to read the message below from Letty Ramirez, one of the riders who is a mother of three; share it; and, most importantly, make a donation to the bail fund to help get these justice-seekers out of jail.

I believe these individuals and others who are participating on the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice are the epitome of bravery, so I just made a personal donation myself. Will you please join me?

Dan Furmansky
Campaign Manager
Standing on the Side of Love

If you’re reading this its because I and three others are in jail.

Today four of us who are undocumented members of Puente came out as unafraid and were arrested at the racial profiling trial of Sheriff Arpaio here in Phoenix.

We did peaceful civil disobedience to set an example for our community and to show Arpaio we aren’t hiding any more.

Watch the video at http://bit.ly/nofearaz.

We know no human being is illegal. What Arpaio is doing to our community is illegal.

Before, our biggest fear was ending up in his jail. Today we went in with our heads high because its better to be out of the shadows than in them.

We went in feeling safe because we know we have a community that supports us. We’re willing to risk everything because we know that you have our back.

Please donate to our bail fund to get us out of jail.

http://bit.ly/donatenofear

Today’s action was the first of many that will happen this summer as part of the No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice that takes off from Phoenix this Sunday and will spend the next six weeks visiting with immigrant communities, challenging our fears and challenging the Sheriffs that cause them.

It’s a new day in Arizona and everywhere. We’re losing our fear and uniting to peacefully defend ourselves.

Please get on a call to hear more about what we’re doing:
This Friday, July 27th,
3:00pm Eastern / 12:00pm Pacific
712.432.0075 code: 932705#

and donate so that we can get out of jail and get on the bus.

Thank you
Letty Ramirez

PS Watch and share this video to see who we are and to see our action today: http://bit.ly/nofearaz.

===============================

Si estas leyendo esto es por que estoy en la cárcel.

Hoy yo y tres otros miembros de Puente salieron de las sombras sin papeles y sin miedo, y fueron arrestados durante el juicio en contra del Alguacil Arpaio aquí en Phoenix.

Fuimos parte de una desobedecía civil pacifica para dar un ejemplo a nuestra comunidad y enseñarle a Arpaio que ya no nos esconderemos mas.

Sabemos que ningún ser humano es ilegal. Lo que Arpaio esta haciéndole a nuestra comunidad es ilegal.

Antes, nuestro miedo mas grande era terminar en sus cárceles. Hoy fuimos con nuestras caras en alto por que ese mejor estar fuera de las sombras que dentro de ellas.

Participamos sintiéndonos seguros sabiendo que hay una comunidad que nos apoya. Estamos dispuestos a arriesgar todo por que sabemos que ustedes estan con nosotros.

Por favor haga una donación para el fondo para la fianza que nos sacara de la cárcel o detención.

http://bit.ly/donatenofear

La acción de hoy fue una de varias que tomaran lugar este verano como parte de la Jornada por la Justicia: Sin Papeles y Sin Miedo que saldrá este Domingo desde Phoenix, y viajara por seis semanas visitando comunidades inmigrantes, enfrentando nuestros miedos, y retando a los Alguaciles que los causan.

Es un nuevo día en Arizona y en todos lados. Estamos perdiendo nuestro miedo y uniéndonos para defendernos pacíficamente.

Acompañe nos a través de una llamada para tener mas información sobre lo que estamos haciendo.

Este viernes, 27 de julio.
3:00pm Hora Este / 12:00pm Pacifico
712.432.0075 code: 932705#

y dona para que podamos salir de la cárcel y subirnos al camión.

Gracias
Letty Ramirez

P.D. Para aprender más sobre nosotros, y por que como personas sin documentos salimos de las sombras y fuimos arrestados, ver a http://bit.ly/nofearaz.

Tags: civil disobedience, Letty Ramirez, No Papers No Fear Ride for Justice, Phoenix, Puente Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Undocubus, undocumented immigrants

Lift Up Your Voice Against Detention & Deportation

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Jun 13, 2012

The message below went out on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

There is still another week until we convene in Phoenix for Justice General Assembly, but already we’re creating buzz. Several media outlets have run stories about our June 23rd witness. That evening, we will hold an interfaith candlelight vigil to shine a light on the human rights abuses inflicted upon those being held at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s inhumane jail Tent City. Even Arpaio himself has taken notice, sending social media messages about the upcoming vigil.

Even if you cannot join us in Arizona, please commit to lifting your voice in opposition to our nation’s cruel system of detention and deportation.

Join the National Days of Witness for Justice, June 20-24.

Here are just a few of the solidarity actions that are taking place across the country:

The UU Pennsylvania Advocacy Network is joining the PA Immigration and Citizenship Coalition and the New Sanctuary Movement at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to speak out against the 21 anti-immigrant bills introduced during this legislative session.
UU congregations in Chicago are partnering with Chicago’s Latino Union, a member of NDLON, to build up UU support for their upcoming Domestic Workers Campaign.
Second Unitarian of Omaha is planning to host a Know Your Rights workshop with four other sponsors, including a United Methodist Church, a legal aid organization, a Christian outreach program, and a congregation-based immigration reform action team.

Click here for ideas about how you can make a difference, and to register your local action: http://bit.ly/KBDQNY.

There are many ways to participate in National Days of Witness. You can make a phone call to the White House in opposition to Secure Communities; augment our efforts in Arizona by sending a message to the Attorney General to close Tent City; demand accountability and oversight for Border Patrol; integrate prayer and the reading of names of those who have died in detention into your worship service; and commit to attending our July webinar about starting a local detention visitation program, to name just a few.

As I count down the days until Justice General Assembly, I am reminded of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act toward one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

May it be so.

In partnership,

Dan Furmansky
Campaign Manager
Standing on the Side of Love

Tags: Arizona, deportation, detention, Justice General Assembly, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), National Days of Witness, Phoenix, Second Unitarian of Omaha, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Tent City, UU Pennsylvania Advocacy Network

Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo: Help Us Amplify Our Efforts in Arizona

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Jun 08, 2012

The message below went out on Friday, June 8, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, it took me leaving home to discover what was important in my own backyard! In my case, the twister was the storm of hatred fueling anti-immigrant legislation and activity in Arizona. Traveling there in 2010 and participating in protests and an act of civil disobedience fueled my getting involved in Massachusetts.

Since then, I’ve come to know the many human rights and immigrant community activists who for years have been engaged right here in my home community. I’ve learned how Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working to criminalize entire communities through efforts like the so-called Secure Communities program. With the support of The Boston New Sanctuary Movement and our Standing on the Side of Love Campaign, people like me have been able to raise our voices against Secure Communities and our inhumane system of detention and deportation that separates parents and children. Like my experience in Arizona, the vigils and protests here have been heartbreaking, frightening and hopeful. Heartbreaking, because I’ve stood with children whose parents are detained and children who have experienced hatred because they ‘look like’ they might be undocumented Mexicans. Frightening, because some people fighting to promote these programs have been aggressive and use hateful verbal and body language. Hopeful, because relationships of solidarity have been formed throughout the Boston area and it is making a difference.

Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo, second from left, during the National Day of Non-Compliance with SB 1070.

I’m sharing this today because our General Assembly in Arizona is fast approaching. Thousands of UUs will be engaged in learning, witness and service and I am certain we will make a difference.

But we are so much larger than our General Assembly!

One of the things that made a HUGE difference when we witnessed in Arizona in 2010 was knowing that UUs in many other parts of the country were attending and creating similar protests, either in direct opposition to Arizona’s legislation or in opposition to local efforts. We also received texts, emails, phone calls, facebook messages and tweets of support and prayer and also letting us know what was happening in other parts of the country. It was powerful then and it can be powerful now! Please consider joining us in spirit if you are not able to attend in person. Here’s how!

Mark June 20 – 24 — and plan your own local witness for justice and peace for migrants and migrant families!

Click here to learn how you can take part in our National Days of Witness for Justice.

In Massachusetts, our advocacy has made a real difference. Statewide adoption of Secure Communities has met with real resistance from elected officials, including Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino. But with Secure Communities spreading throughout the country, there is much work to be done.

When I return from General Assembly, I am committed to continuing my advocacy in Massachusetts. As they say, all change is local. You, too, can make a difference in your local community, and send the message that no human being is illegal, that every child is our child and that what makes our communities secure is love, not hatred.

From June 20-24, commit to taking part in National Days of Witness for Justice.

Today, our Latina and Latino siblings and other people of color are being victimized, scapegoated and hunted by those who deform the laws of our human soul and construct evil legislation. It may sound harsh but I believe it to be true. But it is also true that people all over our country are mobilizing to stop these efforts and work for compassionate immigration reform and an end to oppressive profiling practices. We must participate. We must be the voice of love calling us all to the highest law – that which honors all humanity.

Hoping to meet you all in body or spirit June 20-24 ~