Take Action on Behalf of Arizona's Immigrant Families

Still outraged about what’s going on in Arizona around immigration? You should be -- but one thing we've learned over decades of organizing is that anger on its own can never bring about the change we seek. What we need, now more than ever, is to channel that anger into action.

Thanks to a group of women and organizations who are pooling their resources and organizing under the name "The Mother's Day Delegation" (and supported by the Ms. Foundation through a rapid response grant to the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Jobs with Justice and the National Day Laborers Organizing Network) there are now a number of excellent ways for you to do just that.

Harness the power of your outrage to challenge the bigotry masquerading as law out West; step up and step out on behalf of immigrant families!

For those who are in the Washington, DC area, or can travel there to take part:

• There will be an Ad Hoc Hearing on the Impact of Arizona's SB 1070 on Women and Children on Thursday, June 10, 3:00 - 4:00 pm, 1334 Longworth House Office Building. The Honorary Co-Chairs are Reps. Raúl Grijalva, Jan Schakowsky, Gwendolynne Moore and Sheila Jackson-Lee. A delegation of five women, and possibly one child, will be coming from Arizona to speak about the impact of SB 1070 on their families and communities. Michelle Obama is also being asked to meet with the delegation while they are in DC.
  
  
• Prior to the hearing, the supporting organizations will be hosting an Exchange with the women who are traveling from Arizona to testify. This event will also take place on Thursday, June 10, from 12:00 - 2:00 pm in 402 Cannon HOB, and will include an in-depth discussion of women and immigration enforcement.
  

Please RSVP to gretchen at gmv2108@barnard.edu if you are able to join us for either event.

For those who can’t be in DC but want to lend their support:

• Sign the Letter to Michelle Obama asking her to meet with the delegation of women from Arizona while they are in DC.
  
  
• Encourage your Congressional reps to attend the hearing. Sign this petition via Change.org to urge your reps to show up and listen to the women of Arizona.
  
  
• Watch the short documentary film made during the Mother's Day March to protest SB 1070 -- and make sure to pass it on to friends.
  
  
• Educate Yourself and Others by checking out MomsRising’s recent “blog carnival” on the human and civil rights impacts of current immigration law enforcement practices on moms and families.

Don't just get angry -- get active. Stand up for the women and families of Arizona NOW.


Photo: by Elizabeth Rappaport. (detail) Arrest of Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez (D-IL), at immigration reform march in front of the White House, 1 May 2010, Washington, DC.