Noticias del Centro Latino de Maine

OBAMA IS COMING TO TOWN!!!

RALLY FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM!

A week and a half ago, a quarter million people marched for immigration reform.
We still do not have a bill.
Instead, ICE has pledged to increase deportations.
And it is now illegal for the undocumented to have health insurance.
Tomorrow, the most powerful person in America is coming to Portland.

Obama needs to know: we’ve waited long enough.
Immigration Reform Must Be Next!!!

Where: In front of the Portland Expo Building, 239 Park Avenue.

When: 2pm TOMORROW, THURSDAY (!) April 1st. (If you need to come later, let us know.)

What we need: Signs, Cars, and People! (See below for sign ideas!)

Call Ben Chin at 344-7888 with any questions.

Carpool From Lewiston: Meet at 1pm, outside MPA office, 145 Lisbon St. [We have some drivers but need more!]
Carpool from Bangor: 12pm Dysarts, off exit 180 [We are still looking for drivers!]

Why this rally is more important than tickets: Number one, we can’t get any! Number two, we need to push Obama or he will never do immigration reform.

Sign ideas:

· “Immigration Reform Must Be Next!”

· “Immigration Reform: Where is the Bill”

· One person holds a sign saying: “If you deport me..” and then five more people hold signs saying: “Then deport me too!”

· “I’ve been waiting [insert time] to see my [family member]. Pass immigration reform this year!”

· “Why Is Obama trying to Deport More People than Bush?”

· “Why are you stalling on Immigration Reform?”

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Publicada: Miércoles, marzo 31st, 2010   Deja un comentario

El Centro Latino de Maine

BRUNSWICK CELEBRATES SISTER CITY WITH CUBA WEEK

Download Cuba Week event flyer (PDF)

Cuba Week, the annual celebration of Brunswick’s sister city with Trinidad, Cuba takes place Friday April 9 to Sunday, April 18. In its 7th year, Cuba Week features films, music, performances, educational presentations, food, and this year — kite flying, to celebrate ongoing friendship and cultural exchange with Trinidad as well enrich understanding about Cuba through lively, engaging events.

Presented by the Brunswick-Trinidad Sister City Association (BTSCA), Cuba Week kicks off Friday, April 9 with Cuban Salsa Dance with DJ Rickey Hines at the Elks Lodge at 179 Maine Street. This all-age, chem-free dance party includes salsa dance lessons from 7-8:00 PM as part of the admission fee ($5 student/seniors; $10 adults).

On Sunday April 11, people of all ages are invited to pack a picnic and participate in Papalotes! 59 Kites from 11:00 AM – 2:00PM in Farley Fields (behind Watson Ice Arena on the Bowdoin campus). First generation Cuban-American artist Nestor Gil will lead this free community event of kite flying and provide an informal history of Cuban kites. Mr. Gil is a Bowdoin Consortium for Faculty Diversity Fellow and learned the craft and heritage of kite making through his Cuban father and grandfather. Handmade paper kites will be available to fly and share.

In exploring the many facets of health care in Cuba, three presentations will address this complex subject beginning with Journey Back to Trinidad, Cuba at Curtis Library on April 12 at 7:00 PM. Members of BTSCA share their experiences after their recent return as a medical delegation to Cuba.

On April 13, Frontier Cafe in Fort Andross will feature two showings of the documentary ¡Salud; in which Former President Jimmy Carter is quoted: “Of all the so-called developing nations, Cuba has by far the best health system. And their outreach program to other countries is unequaled anywhere.” Show times at 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM, admission fee.

The third event in the theme of health care is Presentation of the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana with guest lecturer Lillian Holloway. Ms. Holloway is a graduate of LASM in Havana and will discuss medical training opportunities and present day health care in Cuba. Free to the public, this event takes place on April 15 at 7:00 PM in the Cram Alumni Barn, 83 Federal Street.

Closing out Cuba Week is an evening of music and dance with Grupo Esperanza. This nine-piece Afro-Caribbean dance band will perform at 7:30 at Frontier Cafe for an evening of music and dance, $10 admission fee.

As always, area restaurants and cafes will feature special Cuban cuisine and libations on their menus during Cuba Week. An example of participating businesses include Frontier Cafe & Cinema, Henry & Marty Restaurant and Catering, Scarlet Begonias, Back Street Bistro, Wildflours Gluten Free Market & Bakery, Wild Oats Bakery, El Camino, Little Dog Café, Big Top Deli and more.

Dates, times, and locations of events are subject to change. For more detailed information on Cuba Weeks events, to volunteer, or to learn more about BTSCA, visit brunswicktrinidad.org or call 207-729-4930.

The vision of the Brunswick Trinidad Sister City Association is to foster a spirit of friendship and cooperation with citizens of Trinidad, Cuba and the Brunswick area, person-to-person and community-to-community.

The Brunswick Trinidad Sister City Association promotes creative and constructive non-political interactions with the people of our sister community in Cuba. We experience their culture and share our culture with them; recognizing and appreciating both the differences and the similarities in our two cultures.

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Publicada: Viernes, marzo 26th, 2010   Deja un comentario

El Centro Latino de Maine

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

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Publicada: Jueves, marzo 25th, 2010   Deja un comentario

El Centro Latino de Maine

Oraciones por Chile / Prayers for Chile

Oraciones por Chile

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Publicada: Martes, marzo 23rd, 2010   Deja un comentario

El Centro Latino de Maine

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.

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Publicada: Martes, marzo 23rd, 2010   Deja un comentario

El Centro Latino de Maine