For Planning Purposes: Friday, December 9, 2011
Contacts: Cheryl Aguilar 202-360-7867 (local); Donna De La Cruz 202-339-9331(national)
IMMIGRANT AND CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS JOIN TOGETHER TO REPEAL HB 56
Freedom Riders, DREAM Students, Children’s March Part of Events
MONTGOMERY, AL—Immigrant rights advocates and civil rights leaders from Alabama and across the country are working on repealing HB 56 during a summit hosted by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) Dec. 16-17.
Attendees will fight to reverse HB 56, organize to block similar state bills around the country, and advance the cause of justice for all.
As part of the national convening, Freedom Riders will join in dialogue with immigrant rights activists to discuss today’s struggle for immigrant rights. Additionally, leaders from civil, immigrant and labor rights organizations: NAACP, SEIU and NCLR will rally on Montgomery Capitol Steps and join a children’s march to Governor Bentley’s mansion under the banner: One Family, One Alabama: HB 56 Hurts All Alabamians. Children and families will deliver their wishes to Governor Bentley to call for an end to racial profiling, and to call for keeping families together and building a better Alabama.
WHAT: Immigrant National Convention joined by hundreds of advocates from 20 states.
Friday, December 16, at 7 pm
Opening Plenary: Discussion on Freedom Rides and Today's Struggle for Immigrant Rights featuring:
"C.T." Vivian, a 36-year-old Baptist minister from Howard, MO, Reverend Cordy was the oldest of the Nashville Freedom Riders.
Catherine Burks, Birmingham, Birmingham, AL native, 21-year-old Catherine Burks was a student at Tennessee State University when she volunteered for the Nashville Movement Freedom Ride.
Victor, a 19 year old from Alabama who has become a leader in the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice (ACIJ) due to the impact that HB-56 is having on his life and family.
Henry Fernandez, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Saturday, December 17; Rally at 10:30 a.m. and march at 11:30 a.m.
Rally and March to Governor’s Mansion, Saturday, including:
Ben Jealous, President, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Janet Murguía, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza, (NCLR)
Mary Kay Henry, International President, Service Employee International Union (SEIU)
Eliseo Medina, International Secretary Treasurer, Service Employee International Union (SEIU), and regional leaders
WHERE: Immigrant National Convention at Renaissance Montgomery Hotel, 201 Tallapoosa Street,
Montgomery, AL 36104
Rally: Montgomery Capitol Steps; March to Governor Bentley's Mansion.
For more information visit www.immigrantnationalconvention.org.
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The Fair Immigration Reform Movement is a national coalition of organizations fighting for immigrant rights at the local, state and federal levels. FIRM first joined the fight against H.B. 56 by sending community organizers from around the country to support local communities affected by the law.