New Sanctuary Movement Supports Immigrant Rights in Arizona

The national new sanctuary movement supported the national day of action against SB1070, with a nonviolent protest and six mile march to the Arizona Capitol on May 29, 2010 in Phoenix. We support all the local coalitions of the national new sanctuary movement who sent people to join the 100,000 person march in Phoenix and planned solidarity rallies in their own communities.

One of the inspiring parts of the Memorial Day weekend gathering was the solidarity and wisdom shared from civil rights leaders of the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964. They explained the parallels of their movement--challenging unjust, racist laws when they had no rights--to the immigrant rights movement of today. They encouraged immigrant rights activists to continue this work for human rights, resulting in the launch of Arizona Freedom Summer this year. Pablo Alvarado of the National Day Laborers Organizing Network in Arizona spoke of his desire that our movement be based in a journey of love.

Members of the national new sanctuary movement are working towards the July 29, 2010 day of action in Arizona in collaboration with those in Arizona who are determining actions to protest the implementation of SB1070.