Immigration Reform: A Prayer for Pentecost

A Reflection by Lisa Sharon Harper

Last Monday I got arrested.

Now, you've got to understand, I'm the kind of person who cried my eyes out in fifth grade when I got a pink slip for lateness from Miss Roosevelt. I thought that pink slip would ruin my whole future.

But I got arrested last Monday...and it was worth it.

In the shadow of Arizona's immoral immigration law, I locked arms with 15 other faith leaders, labor union leaders, and two city councilmen. Together we moved into the street and blocked traffic in front of 26 Federal Plaza.

In the shadow of 12 other states moving toward the adoption of similar draconian measures, 16 soprano, alto, and deep bass voices belted an old spiritual with new life: "We shall overcome!"

In the shadow of politicians who insist on using immigration reform as a political football rather than as a real problem to be solved, onlookers wept openly as one by one. these community leaders were handcuffed and loaded into paddy-waggons.


Today, in the shadow of our action last week, three NY Faith & Justice colleagues (a board member, a program leader, and an organizational partner) will stand in solidarity with "the least of these" (the immigrants within our borders) along with a spectrum of interfaith, labor, and civic leaders. They will be arrested today (Monday, May 24) at noon, 26 Federal Plaza. And still more will be arrested on June 1--same time, same place.

Now, in light of Pentecost Sunday--a day when the spirit of God fell and brought unity and kinship between people from many nations -- most of whom were immigrants in the land, I pray:

God have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
God have mercy on us.

Take our small actions and multiply them.
Use our songs to soothe the hearts of undocumented immigrants across the nation.
May our songs mix with the sounds of their cries...
and may they all be counted as prayer to you.
Use our hands bound behind our backs and our feet walking toward police wagons.
May our steps remind "the least" that the first shall be last and the last shall be first...
and may our steps be counted as prayer to you.

Amen .

We covet your continued prayers and support.

Second Immigration Rally and Act of Civil Disobedience

Join us this Monday 5/24 at 26 Federal Plaza (Broadway side) at noon for the 2nd rally + nonviolent civil disobedience action in NYC. There will be over 20 people signed up to participate in the CD, including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito, and many labor, faith and community leaders! These escalations are part of a national wave of escalation actions in Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington DC, Miami, Milwaukee, and other cities.

PLEASE mobilize and come out to 26 Federal Plaza on Monday at 12noon!

-->If you/anyone you know wants to participate in the CD, please contact Gabriela (212-627-2227 x229 or GVillareal@thenyic.org) today for more details and important legal information
-->Here is the facebook event link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120486754652932. RSVP and spread the word!

-->***PLEASE NOTE: The 3rd Escalation Action, originally slated for Monday 5/31, has been moved to Tuesday 6/1 because of several logistical issues. 

Standing in Solidarity

Early this afternoon, NY Faith & Justice Executive Director Lisa Sharon Harper-along with other faith, labor, and city leaders-was arrested in an act of Civil Disobedience. The act was part of a rally in Federal Plaza to put pressure on President Obama and the U.S. Congress to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform now!

Join Lisa and the NYFJ crew in their call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Call NY Senator Chuck Schumer and tell him you want him to pass Comprehensive Reform immediately! Find Sen. Schumer's office information and a sample calling script here. Arizona is a good example of why we cant wait!

Micah Institute Event

Screening of New Film, "Countdown To Zero"

Friends of the Micah Institute are invited to a private screening of an award-winning film called COUNTDOWN TO ZERO, a stunning documentary about the escalating global nuclear arms crisis that recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was shown at the TED Conference. Produced by Academy Award winner Lawrence Bender (An Inconvenient Truth, Inglorious Basterds) and written and directed by Lucy Walker (The Devil’s Playground, Blind Sight), COUNTDOWN TO ZERO features an array of important international experts and politicians and makes a compelling for world wide nuclear disarmaent. There will be a discussion after the screening that will include responses by James Forbes, Serene Jones, Rich Cizik, Shamsi Ali, and Peter Heltzel. Don't miss the opportunity to see this film before it hits theatres in July. RSVP to countdown@differentdrummer.com

Date: Tuesday May 18, 2010

Location: Riverside Theatre, 91 Claremont (at 120^th St)

Time: 7 pm

Family - May 2010

Dear NY Faith & Justice Friends and Family,

I am obsessed with Ancestry.com. Last night I clicked back through the generations, following a family line I didn't know existed a week ago, and found out that Matoaka "Pocahontas" Powhatan is my distant aunt once removed! Unbelievable!

It got me thinking: we really are all connected.

What would the world be like if we all knew our roots? How would we approach things like race, poverty, and class? How would our approach to issues like urban violence, fair wages, health care reform, and immigration reform change?

Family looks out for one another. Family offers mercy, grace, and relief. Family seeks justice for one another.

Maybe that's why Jesus said, "Just as you did these things to the least of these who are my family, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)

Jesus stood in solidarity with the hungry because they are his family.
Jesus stood in solidarity with the thirsty because they are his family.
Jesus stood in solidarity with the immigrant because they are his family.
Jesus stood in solidarity with the poor because they are his family.
Jesus stood in solidarity with the sick because they are his family.
Jesus stood in solidarity with the imprisoned because they are hisfamily.

Two weeks ago, NY Faith & Justice convened an extremely diverse and influential group of 20 faith leaders from New York and Los Angeles to meet with Senator Charles Schumer's office (D-NY) and press for justice for our family members--the immigrants within our borders.

Now, we invite you to join us!

Monday, May 17 @ 12 noon
26 Federal Plaza, Manhattan
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Rally and Civil Disobedience
You can just attend the rally, or you can choose to join the civil disobedience action as well. Click here to find out more and sign up for civil disobedience training this week!

Plus, scroll down or click these links for more practical ways you can stand in solidarity with your family this month!

• May House Concerts with Tracy Howe!
  
• Farmworkers and Small Farms: A Conversation about the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act
• Donate now to help us continue to stand in solidarity with family!
  

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And don't forget to follow us on twitter, facebook, the nyfj blog or the nyfj calendar for up to the minute action alerts, program changes, and details.

Engage,


Lisa Sharon Harper
Co-founder and Executive Director
New York Faith & Justice

Immigration Reform Rally & Civil Disobedience

Monday May 17th: RALLY followed by DIRECT ACTION Where: 26 Federal Plaza, Manhattan Time: 12noon Message: President Obama: Stop the flow of deportations and enact humane Immigration Reform now. Led by clergy, this direct action will escalate our unified call for an end to the deportations and the enactment of humane immigration reform. The moral crisis in immigrant communities demands real leadership and concrete action from President and elected officials. We aim for this action to show our courage in this fight and to lift up the unquestionable moral authority for the call for just and humane immigration reform. Faith leaders, elected officials, labor leaders, community leaders are invited to participate. This action is taking place in coordination with immigrant communities across the nation who are escalating pressure for an end to the crises we see each day because of our broken immigration system. A training with the Center for Constitutional Rights will be available for participants prior to the action. If you want to commit to participate, email Frances (FLiu@thenyic.org) . Direct action participants must be US Citizens. Click here for legal briefing materials on participation in civil disobedience.

Faith Leaders for Environmental Justice presents...

Farmworkers' Rights and Preserving Small Farms: A Conversation about the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act May 20th, 6:30 - 8:30pm Church of the Holy Trinity, Draesel Hall 316 East 88th St (between 1st and 2nd Avenues), New York, NY 10128 Suggested donation: $5-$20 No one will be turned away for lack of funds. The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act is a New York State bill that was intended to provide fair labor protections to farmworkers who were excluded from the federal fair labor laws enacted in 1939. The legislation's opponents have argued that, in its current form, the bill is not fair to smaller farms, which predominate in New York State. This forum will explore how the rights of farmworkers can be ensured without endangering the livelihoods of small farmers. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Click here to register now. http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=1546 Moderator: Lisa Sharon Harper, Executive Director, NY Faith & Justice Panelists include : Ms. Jody Bolluyt, farmer, Roxbury Farm, policy committee member for NOFA-NY Dr. Margaret Gray, Assistant Professor, Adelphi University, currently completing a book manuscript about Hudson Valley agriculture, food politics, and farmworkers. Ms. Lea Kone, Assistant Director of NOFA NY Ms. Librada Paz, former farmworker for several decades, farmworker advocate Mr. Martin Rodriguez, farmer/owner, Mimo Mex Farm Reverend Richard Witt, Executive Director, Rural & Migrant Ministry This event is co-sponsored by: Church of the Holy Trinity, Hunger Action Network of New York State. Just Food, New York City Coalition Against Hunger, New York Faith & Justice, NOFA-NY, Rural and Migrant Ministries, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) - Local 1500

Spring House Party Concerts

Fun Food and Plotting Goodness Every Month! Brooklyn Saturday, May 22, 6-8pm Tracy Howe in Concert! @ Radical Living 38 Pulaski St., 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11206 To RSVP contact Melinda at melinda.faust@gmail.com. Manhattan Friday, May 21, 6-8pm Tracy Howe in Concert! Back Yard BBQ (Bring your own meat) 89 Audubon Avenue NY NY 10032 (between 169th and 170th) map it To RSVP contact Lisa at lsharper@nyfaithjustice.org. To start a House Gathering in your neighborhood, please contact Chris atcmuller@nyfaithjustice.org or 212.870.1254.

Mark Your Calendars!!

Your invited to take part in:

Farmworkers' Rights and Preserving Small Farms

A Conversation about the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act

The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act is a New York State bill that was intended to provide fair labor protections to farmworkers who were excluded from the federal fair labor laws enacted in 1939.

The legislation's opponents have argued that, in its current form, the bill is not fair to smaller farms, which predominate in New York State. This forum will explore how the rights of farmworkers can be ensured without endangering the livelihoods of small farmers.

Date: May 20th, 6:30 - 8:30pm

Location: Church of the Holy Trinity

Draesel Hall

316 East 88th St

(between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

New York, NY 10128

Suggested donation: $5-$20. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. This is to cover the cost of panelists who traveled to speak at this event.

Panelists include:

Ms. Jody Bolluyt, farmer, Roxbury Farm, policy committee member for NOFA-NY

Dr. Margaret Gray, Assistant Professor, Adelphi University, currently completing a book manuscript about Hudson Valley agriculture, food politics, and farmworkers.

Ms. Lea Kone, Assistant Director of NOFA NY

Ms. Librada Paz, former farmworker for several decades, farmworker advocate

Mr. Martin Rodriguez, farmer/owner, Mimo Mex Farm

Reverend Richard Witt, Executive Director, Rural & Migrant Ministry

RSVP here: http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=1546