Thank you to everyone who came out for the Aug. 3 vigil and procession for the disappeared. As one of the organizers, I can say that the number of participants was far larger than we expected. It shows how many are shocked and dismayed by this administration’s policies and actions, and how many want to act from their heart and deep sense of what’s right and what’s just wrong. In organizing the event we gathered information about resources and legislation that I’d like to share here.
For resources, we encourage people to learn about and support LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of MA, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, Western MA Asylum Support Network, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). You can look up each of these organizations on the web. We also encourage you to learn about and support three Massachusetts State House bills: Dignity Not Deportations Act, Safe Communities Act, and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act. These bills all have descriptions available on the web, and are supported by the commonwealth’s major immigrant rights coalitions. Passing them will do a lot of good. You can find legislator contact info by going to “malegislature.gov” and clicking on “Find My Legislator.”
Even as we witness the many tragedies and mourn the injustice, there is much we can do together to fight back and make things better.
Dave Roitman
Florence