National New Sanctuary Movement Advocates for Immimgration Reform in Washington, D.C.

National New Sanctuary Movement Takes Part in Ecumenical Advocacy Days

Members of the national new sanctuary movement from Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles, Ventura County, Denver, Kansas City, New York, Boston, gathered in Washington, D.C. for their National Committee Meeting and to also participate in the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days gathering from March 19-22, 2010 as a part of a national convening for immigrant rights, especially from the faith communities, under the theme “"A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples."

About 200,000 marched in the National Mall; about 700 gathered for strategy sessions to pass comprehensive immigration reform; dozens of workshops on issues ranging from Detention to Third World Debt were held; and hundreds in the religious communities met with their legislators.

The National New Sanctuary Movement evaluated the work of the past year and planed for the next. One of the major decisions was to lift up the voices and the participation of immigrants in the national NSM committee, asking local coalitions to have two representatives, been one an immigrant. Also, we will have two national actions, one around Mothers Day, organizing vigils and activities supporting family reunification and asking for a moratorium on detentions and deportations, the second action is to continue organizing the “Shine the Light from Coast to Coast” in December based on the idea of the Latino tradition of the “Posada” (opening our door and welcoming the stranger) between International Human Rights day (Dec. 10th) and the International Migrant’s Day (Dec. 18th). The national Committee meets once a month.