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17 de Marzo, 2007
Please Help the Stranded Bedford Immigrant Children
Categorized under Acción , Derechos Humanos , Migra , Raza | Tags: activism, borders, Child Abuse, Hope, Mexicans, migra, Soul of the World
FROM THE MIRA COALITION: There are between 150 and 200 niños (children) separated from their parents as a result of the March 6, 2007 Immigration and Customs Enforcement's raid on workers at a defense contractor in New Bedford, Massachusetts. MIRA members, staff, allies, families, neighbors and friends are doing their best to care for these children, but with limited resources.
ICE rounded up and incarcerated around 350 textile workers, mostly women, leaving many children stranded.
How you can help:
1. Donate Money: The New Bedford Immigrant Families/ Niños Fund is now accepting donations. MIRA is working with the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (SFSEMA) in distributing all funds raised to the affected children and families. Click here to donate online.
Please specify that the funds are for "New Bedford Immigrant Families / Ninos Fund."
Or send a check to the MIRA Coalition, 105 Chauncy St, Boston, MA 02111. Please make checks out to the "New Bedford Immigrant Families / Ninos Fund." Donations are tax-deductible and 100% of your donations to this fund will be distributed to the affected families through the Commuity Foundation of Southeastern MA (CFSEMA).
2. Volunteers: Right now we need people willing to drive New Bedford families from their homes to and from the JFK federal building in Boston. Father Fallon has generously allowed the use of the Catholic Social Services passenger van, available for volunteers. Drivers must have a valid license and have some basic Spanish language capability.
If you are available, please call Father Fallon at (508) 997-7337
We also need immigration lawyers willing to take pro-bono cases, preferably a bilingual Spanish speaker. Please call MIRA with your name and contact information at 617-350-5480 x212.
3. Material Donations: Needed items: Pampers in all sizes; Baby wipes; bottles and bottle liners; Enfamil Soy baby formula; all types of baby food and winter baby clothing. Canned food, bottled water and paper products are also needed. Donations should be dropped off between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday ONLY at 2 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent.
4. Voice Your Opinion: Write to your local newspaper and call into your local radio station to decry the devestation this raid has caused. Our immigration laws are supposed to unite families not destroy them. Read the press releases and articles and then click here for tips on writing a letter with some local paper links.
5. Write and Call Your Members of Congress: Capital Switchboard (202) 224-3121. Ask them to speak directly with Secretary Chertoff to request that he "Release the Moms." Also demand a moratorium on deportations and new immigration laws now! A sample letter is here; hand written letters have the most impact and should be sent to the district offices (goto: http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ click on your state and then click on your Senators'/Representative's name to get mailing addresses). Please invite your friends and families in other states to also write in!
DONATE FOR THE NEW BEDFORD FAMILIES / NINOS FUND HERE
• Read Boston Globe March 9th Oped: "U.S immigration system at its worst"
• If you have a FAMILY MEMBER detained in this raid, you can call ICE at 1-866-341-3858 to get more information about the arrested individual.
Please, even the smallest thing, even the least of these actions is a help. There are scared and suffering children involved. Thank you. For more information, see the MIRA website. —Nez.
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Comentarios (6)
Richard at Mexfiles dijo:
Damn... just when I'm begging too. Oh well, women and children first. I'll just "borrow" your post, Nezua.
Palabras por Richard at Mexfiles spat forth on el 17 de Marzo, 2007 at 02:19 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:
right on, man.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 18 de Marzo, 2007 at 05:25 AM
tizoc dijo:
this is much more than just 'about the children' / what does someone need to prove that they have an inalienable right (just as anyone else) to simply exist and try to survive. Why does this government seem make opponents of the least fortunate. This 'bully' attitude should be illegal.
Palabras por tizoc spat forth on el 18 de Marzo, 2007 at 02:21 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:
yes, tizoc, you are right. it is. i meant just in the immediate sense of crisis. but of course it is much bigger than just stranded children...they are but one more symptom of a long crusade of hate.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 18 de Marzo, 2007 at 02:34 PM
saltyC dijo:
Because I am averse to paying online, I sent my check to:
Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts at 227 Union St., Suite 609, New Bedford, MA 02740
I can't imagine what those children are going through. When I was 3 my parents were detained for 48 hrs by the fascist military government in Brazil in 1969.
That's the US govt now. Sad isn't the word.
Palabras por saltyC spat forth on el 19 de Marzo, 2007 at 12:28 PM
nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:
saltyC, you've made me happy with your deed, and thank you for the glimpse of your own trials.
Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 19 de Marzo, 2007 at 12:40 PM