More Immigrant Activism

AS TEMPERATURES DROP, IMMIGRANTS TURN UP THE HEAT

Campaign for Immigrant Families Hits the Heights Visit  http://familiesforfreedom.org/actioncenter.htm for more info.

WHAT: Immigrants facing deportation and their loved ones will set up shop in Washington Heights this Saturday, the fourth stop on a citywide tour to protect communities targeted by immigration authorities. For the fourth summer in a row, Families for Freedom – a defense network of people in deportation and their loved ones – is mounting a campaign to warn immigrant New Yorkers of the deportation system, conduct a street survey to poll residents on immigration and security issues, and organize clinics for impacted individuals throughout the City. They reached 2,000 New Yorkers on the streets of Flatbush, over 3,000 in the Bronx, and hope to beat that number as they stand on 181st St and St. Nicholas. This site – the Dominican epicenter of New York – has been absolutely devastated by deportations. Results of the Community Safety Survey that they are conducting with local residents will be released at the end of the campaign and go towards a public opinion report. Local community organizations will join these families at each speak out site. Participants will also raise awareness of the Child Citizen Protection Act, the only proposal in Congress to protect the citizen children of immigrants. The proposed legislation would allow immigration judges to weigh the best interests of American-born children before deporting their parents. Uptown families fighting deportation firsthand will share their stories with pedestrians and the media. WHEN: Saturday, August 5th 3–7pm

WHERE: 181st Street & St. Nicholas (Washington Heights)

WHO: * Immigrants & Citizens Impacted by Deportation who are members of Families for Freedom * Don Juan Community Foundation * Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights

CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE

All Speak Outs are on Saturday, unless otherwise noted. Date & Time — Location July 15th 3-7pm — Flatbush & Church Ave (Brooklyn) July 22nd 10am-1pm — 138th & Willis Ave (Bronx) July 22nd 3-7pm — Fordham & Grand Concourse (Bronx) Aug 5th 3-7pm — 181st St & St. Nicholas (Manhattan) Aug 12th 3-7pm — Junction & Roosevelt (Queens) Aug 19th 3-7pm — Jamaica & 164th (Queens) Monday, Sep 4th — West Indian Day Parade (Brooklyn) Organizations joining Families for Freedom in this massive campaign include: Agenda 21, Asociación Tepeyac, By Ways & Hedges, Community Concern Network, Don Juan Community Foundation, Immigrant Defense Project, Jamaica Progressive League, Latin American Integration Center, Medgar Evers Center for Law & Social Justice, New York Civic Participation Project, Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition, Safe Horizon, and Sons & Daughters of Jamaica.

KJ