April 5 Night Of 1,000 Conversations

People to people exchanges will take place in living rooms, coffee shops, school auditoriums and places of worship on April 5th in a “Night of 1,000 Conversations.” The nationwide event, addressing immigration and America’s core values, will launch as Congress considers proposals that must safeguard the right of due process for everyone who calls America home.

“Everyone deserves a fair day in court – a right that is being systematically denied to many in this country,” said Max Niedzwiecki, executive director of the Rights Working Group, the nationwide coalition of more than 200 civil rights, human rights, and civil liberties groups that is organizing the event.

“Our government should not be allowed to imprison people – without charging them with a crime, and without any clue as to when they will be released,” added Niedzwiecki, who coordinates the coalition, which has been fighting the erosion of basic freedoms since September 11th. “The Night of 1,000 Conversations will provide a time, space and a synchronized opportunity for people across the country to talk to friends, neighbors and their community about threats to our freedom and about solutions.”

Hundreds of conversations have been organized involving groups ranging from 10 to 20 people. In a variety of forums, they will discuss the human impact of a broken immigration system and potential remedies. The Night of 1,000 Conversations coincides with the Congressional recess to maximize activities while lawmakers will be in their districts.

Dozens of organizations and Rights Working Group members around the country are leading the effort, and calling on participants to take action after the meetings. Activities include engaging local and national lawmakers, signing up for massive mobilizations to take place this summer and holding town hall-style meetings to gain broader public support.

“Many Americans are simply not aware that our government wants to be able to lock people up without giving them a chance to talk to a lawyer or a judge or to be let out on parole,” said Avideh Moussavian of the New York Immigration Coalition and one of the campaign’s leaders. “Through the Night of 1,000 Conversations we’ll begin to shed some light on these unconstitutional proposals so we can put an end to them.”

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