Faithful solidarity, Resisting S-COMM and more!

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Dear Migrant Justice friends,

6/8/2012---As summer unfolds we continue to build strong alliances to advance the dignity and human rights of everyone in our community. We are building momentum in our efforts for immigrant rights and agricultural justice, and we invite you to join us!

1) S-COMM "SECURE COMMUNITIES" UPDATE: MIGRANT JUSTICE SEEKS TO UNVEIL USE OF BORDER PATROL AS TRANSLATORS, + VICTORY IN DC! 

2) FARM WORKER ORGANIZER DANILO LOPEZ FEATURED IN 7 DAYS FULL LENGTH PROFILE

3) MARK YOUR CALENDAR! FAITHFUL SOLIDARITY: IMMIGRANT RIGHTS FROM FAITH PERSPECTIVES  Training and Forum, July 11th, Burlington

1) S-COMM "SECURE COMMUNITIES" UPDATE: 

After the controversial S-COMM deportation program was forced on Vermont 3 weeks ago, Migrant Justice mobilized an emergency protest to condemn Obama as the 'Deporter in Chief'. (Check out photos here).

Communities throughout the country continue to resist the programs and actions, Such as S-COMM, which make our neighborhoods less safe and separates immigrant families. Migrant Justice, in collaboration with the Northern Border Coalition, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to unveil incidents where Border Patrol agents unlawfully act as translators and respond to routine local 911 dispatches, effectively blurring the lines between police and border patrol in VT.

As you may remember, 911 calls in Vermont have led to police calling border patrol to act as translators, who then proceed to deport our neighbors. More info here

From the Northern Border to the nation's capital, resistance to S-COMM continues to grow. This week, Washing ton DC's City Council passed legislation to limit S-COMM's target on community members who have not commited serious crimes. We celebrate this step forward and will continue to work for Vermont to join the growing tide of communities saying "No to S-COMM, Yes to COMMpassion!"

2) FARM WORKER ORGANIZER DANILO LOPEZ FEATURED IN 7 DAYS

excerpt: “Danilo closely resembles Cesar Chavez,” (...) “He teaches people; he inspires people; he makes them aware of their own worth and dignity; and he does this without a trace of anger or negativity.”

Read full article here 

3) MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

As a member of a faith community, are you eager to put your values in action by standing in solidarity with migrant workers? Learn from the Rural & Migrant Ministry's rich history of mobilizing in support of farmworkers.

FAITHFUL SOLIDARITY: Immigrant Rights from Faith Perspectives 

July 11th, Burlington (location TBA)

2-5 pm Training for faith leaders with Richard Witt, Executive Director of Rural and MIgrant Ministry of NY, Episcopalian Priest and founder of NY's Farmworker Justice Campaign, supporting fair farm labor practices for 30 years. 

6pm Public forum on being a faith ally for immigrant rights with Richard Witt of Rural and Migrant Ministry and Danilo Lopez of Migrant Justice

Solidarity from people of faith has been crucial to our drivers license effort this year, and as we grow our Campaign for Immigrant Rights and Agricultural Justice, we must developing a solid base of collaboration to advance human rights in Vermont. Please stay tuned for details on this opportunity, and contact us if you are interested!

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Arriba, Adelante, Justicia Migrante!