Hundreds of DREAM Act Supporters Gather in D.C. for Massive Christmas Carol Singing to Launch Week of Action

 
Today, at 5:30 PM, hundreds of supporters from 38 states across the country are uniting to support immigrant youth and the national effort to convince the Senate to take up the DREAM Act for an up-or-down vote this week. Hundreds of supporters are expected to gather at the Lincoln Memorial, and march to the National Christmas Tree (Ellipse, south of the White House) and sing DREAM Carols to the tune of common Christmas carols.

Gaby Pacheco, an immigrant youth who walked from Miami, FL to Washington D.C. earlier this year as a member of the Trail of Dreams will lead the procession, joined by Promise Arizona, who organized the 103 day vigil in front of Phoenix State Capitol in Arizona following the signing of the controversial SB 1070 bill into Arizona state law.  Sunday is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and Promise Arizona members will carry a Virgin of Guadalupe at the front of the procession.

When: 5:30 P.M. Sunday, December 12th, 2010, (rain or shine)

Where: Lincoln Memorial to the National Christmas Tree, (Ellipse, south of the White House)

Who: Diverse supporters from across the US, undocumented immigrant youth

Visuals: Hundreds of supporters at illuminated Lincoln Memorial, procession with the Virgen de Guadalupe, Caroling at the National Christmas Tree Immigrant youth, families, Latino and other communities of color, joined by a rapidly growing wave of moderate (see editorial boards), conservative (Americano, Conservatives for CIR), and liberal (Center for American Progress, DailyKos) supporters are asking Senators from both side of the aisle to begin debate and vote on the DREAM Act, an immigration reform measure that would legalize young immigrants who were brought to America as children, as long as they fulfill several stringent educational or military requirements. To highlight their commitment and willingness to sacrifice for their community and the country, immigrant youth have been organizing food drives, blood drives, volunteering at charity organizations, and fasting during this holiday season.

The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that recognizes immigrant youth who have been raised in the United States, have worked hard in school, and who will pursue higher education or serve the United States Armed Forces, should they be given an opportunity to pursue the American Dream. The Congressional Budget Office scored the DREAM Act last week and found the DREAM Act would reduce the deficit by about $2.2 billion over the 2011 -2020 period.

The past several weeks have seen DREAM Act events happening across the country in over 25 states. For more information, contact Shu Ohno at sohno@immigrationforum.org or call 202-309-5645.

KJ