Dear Members and Friends,
Every day, we hear troubling headlines about new attacks on immigrant communities. However, what the headlines don’t tell you are the ways that our local immigrant communities continue to organize and fight for justice and the ways you can get plugged in to support.
I’m pleased that both UU Westport and the Stamford UU Congregation are hosting important informational events for the wider community on how to make a difference in the lives of immigrants.
On Monday, May 19th at 6:00 PM, UU Westport and Make the Road Connecticut shall host at UU Westport an info-session specifically about the opportunity for accompanying immigrants to court appointments, so that volunteers can provide support and bear witness to the workings of the current system. Invite your friends, neighbors, and fellow congregation members to learn more about the work of Make the Road Connecticut and ways to support this community based organization, founded in Bridgeport, and the broader immigrant rights movement. Please sign up HERE to let us know you are coming.
On Sunday, May 18th at 2:00 PM, the Stamford Immigration Forum will be held at UU Stamford. It will focus on building support for two types of legislation. First, the Trust Act which will prevent ICE from raiding various institutions without appropriate warrants. Second, legislation advocated by HUSKY to provide medical benefits for all people—including all undocumented immigrants.
On Thursday, May 15th, the TRUST Act Coalition is holding an Interfaith Visibility Day at the State Capitol in Hartford, beginning with a press conference at 10:30 AM, followed by meetings with legislators. Learn more HERE. If you can’t attend and want to be involved in passing the Trust Act, contact David Vita, our volunteer Legislative Advocacy Coordinator who currently serves on the TRUST Act Now Coalition, HUSKY for Immigrants Coalition, and the CT Faith-based Immigrant Solidarity Network. He can be reached at David@uuwestport.org.
Having done both legislative advocacy and accompaniment work myself in Illinois and Texas, I know it makes a difference for immigrants to be treated as human beings whether in solidarity in advocacy efforts or by people who are accompanying them to a court hearing. Faith-based organizing brings people together in meaningful ways. Would you like to be a part of ensuring the passage of the Trust Act and legislation to provide medical care access for all people, including undocumented people?
Please share the information below with people you know who want to make a difference in these challenging times.
Warmly,
Alan
