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CAMPAIGN: Sen. Robert Menendez Joins National Town Hall for Immigration Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Also in attendance Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and more than 600 activists, allies and advocates
Wednesday, Jun 03, 2009Contact: Mary Moreno (202) 339-9316, mmoreno@communitychange.org; Germonique Ulmer 202-339-9331, gulmer@communitychange.org
Washington – A national campaign to help President Obama make good on his promise to pass comprehensive immigration reform in 2009 was unveiled Wednesday, June 3 at a press conference in Washington. The event was part of a week-long series of activities across the country to demonstrate broad national support for comprehensive immigration reform and a commitment to win the legislative battle expected later in the year.
The Reform Immigration FOR America campaign is a multi-faceted effort that will invigorate and activate immigration supporters at the grassroots level and secure the votes in Congress needed to win immigration reform this year. The campaign brought more than 700 activists to DC from all over the country for a three-day summit at Gallaudet University. At the summit, participants are networking, sharing stories, comparing tactics and learning new skills in a variety of workshops.
“The conversation on reforming immigration for America started in earnest this week,” said Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Campaign for Community Change. “We were expecting to have a summit for about 400 folks, but more than 700 activists showed up because they are motivated to win just and humane immigration reform this year. They have their fingers on the pulse of the grassroots, and they know something the Beltway pundits don’t – immigration reform can and will happen this year.”
On Thursday, at 9:30 a.m., the campaign will host the National Town Hall Meeting on Immigration Reform at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation (212 East Capitol St. NE). The Town Hall will feature key members of Congress, including Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and will serve as a starting point for securing much needed congressional support for passing immigration reform. The representatives will hear from people who have had their families ripped apart, their rights violated, and community destroyed. Thursday afternoon the 700 plus people will descend on Capitol Hill to visit hundreds more representatives and senators. They will leave no doubt – the grassroots community is energized and engaged in the fight for immigration reform.
But the activities in DC are just the beginning. The campaign is deploying new technologies such as a national text messaging system and various on-line organizing strategies to put constituents directly in touch with members of Congress. Anyone can join the fight by texting “justice” to 69866. The campaign will send them alerts when their calls to Congress are urgently needed.
“We must win comprehensive immigration reform this year,” said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. “Failure is not an option. America can no longer afford to wait on comprehensive immigration reform.”
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