Ayer nos vieron marchar, hoy nos van a escuchar
Estimada Blanca:
Ayer, mas de cien mil personas se unieron a la Marcha Por América: El Cambio Requiere Valor en el National Mall en Washington, DC. Estadounidenses trabajadores, como tú y yo, llegaron de todos los rincones del país para pedir justicia, luchar contra los opositores y dejar claro que los estadounidenses ya no aceptan el estatus quo de un sistema de inmigración disfuncional. Necesitamos que nuestros dirigentes actúen ya, y den soluciones que ayudarán a arreglar nuestra economía, mantendrán a las familias unidas y terminarán con las políticas que desatan miedo en las comunidades de toda la nación.
Ahora que hemos mostrado nuestros rostros a nuestros dirigentes, que nos escuchen. Incluso, si no puedes venir en persona a DC, únete con tu voz a los miles que han venido a marchar para decirle al Congreso que la reforma de inmigración no puede esperar más.
Llama a tu congresista al número gratuito (866) 901-3139.
Utiliza este breve guión cuando llames a tus senadores y representantes:
Hola. Me llamo [tu nombre] y estoy llamando desde [ciudad, estado]. Por favor dígale a [nombre del congresista] que:
• Es hora de aprobar una reforma de inmigración que fortalezca nuestra economía y cree igualdad de condiciones para todos los trabajadores.
• La reforma de inmigración es una solución que la mayoría de los votantes estadounidenses apoya.Nuestro país cuenta contigo. ¿Llamarás?
¡Por favor pídele a tus amigos que llamen también!
Atentamente.
A. Elena Lacayo
Coordinadora de asuntos de inmigración
For more information, visit www.nclr.org | http://www.facebook.com/nationalcounciloflaraza | http://www.myspace.com/nclr2008 | http://twitter.com/nclr.
Here is a copy of the letter sent to Congressman Michaud via his email address:
https://forms.house.gov/michaud/webforms/issue_subscribe1.htm
March 23, 2010
Dear Congressman Michaud,
Thank you for granting a Maine delegation of concerned citizens a meeting to discuss comprehensive immigration reform on March 21st (March for America). Fifty-eight Maine residents travelled on a full bus from Bangor, Lewiston and Portland arriving tired but excited about a meeting with your chief of staff, Peter Chandler.
Outside of the Cannon building we were encouraged that our voices would be heard and about the opportunity to relay our stories. Somalis, Sudanese, Latinos, Native Americans, college students, activists, youth, voters and aspiring leaders looked forward to this moment. Many had never been involved in the democratic process before. Instead we were met by a hospitality aide, very nice young woman, who didn’t take notes of our stories and seemed to know little about your stand on the important issues we came there to talk about. When she left that filled to capacity room everyone I had encouraged to make the long trek, missing work and leaving family behind, voiced overwhelming disappointment. I want you to know this because I believe many of them do not have the time to tell you themselves. It is important to me to know your stand on comprehensive immigration reform.
At this time, I respectfully request that you inform your constituents about your position on CIR as we know and have been assured that President Obama will take on this important issue now that health care has been passed. Please write a letter to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and cc me. I want to believe that you care about families that have been separated from one another and understand the economic impact that raids and deportations have on our communities here in Maine. Please respond so that I may know where you stand.
I marched for comprehensive immigration reform, along with over 200,000 people from all over our great nation; I count and I vote.
Sincerely,
Blanca Santiago
Oraciones por Chile / Prayers for Chile
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SAVE THE DATE!
Immigration, Trade and Community
A talk and discussion with renowned journalist & photographer
David Bacon
Saturday April 17th 4:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church | 154 Park Street, Bangor
Join activists around Maine to learn how we can work together for labor and immigrant rights and fair trade.
Download the Event Flyer (PDF) for more details and description.
Create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants
Just sharing an interesting article related to Comprehensive Immigration Reform from the Sun Journal by Gina Cristina Sima:
I am an immigrant. I left everything behind — my family, friends, my home, everything that made me who I am today and everything that I held close to my heart.
I traveled more than 7,000 miles over land and sea to be a part of the American system that values meritocracy and hard work. Who does not dream of being able to live with dignity, of seeing one’s work actually come to fruition, or of having as much opportunity as anyone else to realize the American Dream?
Immigrants and refugees from all over the world see the United States as the land of opportunity, of freedom and liberty and of shelter from violence and civil war. America has proven, through the years, that it is a country where many cultures can coexist peacefully and build a democratic society. Therefore, it is in the country’s inherent spirit to be at the forefront of the world and say, “Yes, we can!” to comprehensive immigration reform…
Read the whole article here: http://www.sunjournal.com/node/803557
An email from Levi Bridges on his Migrating to Maine article series
Hello Friends,
I’m posting this entry to let you know that I published an article today in the Bangor Daily News. The story is the first of what will become a series about immigrants living in Maine.
My goal in trying to write and publish this new column is to give immigrants living in our state a place to tell their stories, in their own words, in a major media outlet distributed all over the state. I hope to show readers the various reasons why immigrants arrive in our state, who they are, and how they’ve integrated into our communities. Ultimately, I want to use writing to help Mainers throughout our state better understand the reality of immigrants lives and how their presence here enriches our state.
The first column is about a cello player from the South American country of Bolivia. It can be read at the following link:
http://www.bangordailynews.com/browse.html?search_filter=levi+bridges
If you have any ideas for immigrant stories you want to see me cover, please don’t hesitate to email me. Additionally, if you have any feedback for how I can improve these stories, please fire away. And if you like what I’m doing, don’t hesitate to let the newspaper know either.
Thanks for your interest,
Levi Bridges