SIM Updates!!!!!!!
Patricia De Oliveira
Hello,
There are a lot of things going on this week. I’m sure you have heard about the raid in New Bedford and have many questions and concerns. In this e-mail I will include an overview of what happened and how you and your community can help. But first up, updates.
Updates
NO SIM MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY! Wednesday is a National Lobby Day for Comprehensive Immigration Reform and there are some Simmers going!
New Bedford
Last week, on Tuesday March 6th, there was an immigration raid at Michael Bianco Inc., a company that makes equipment and apparel for the U.S. military, in New Bedford, MA. Over 300 people were detained, the majority being women, many with small children at home, and some were even pregnant. This really tore the city apart. Many families were broken; a lot of small children were left without a parent. Community organizations in New Bedford and immigrant advocates and supporters from around the state have been in New Bedford, trying to help these families find their loved ones. Immigration sent a lot of detainees out of the state, the majority sent to Texas. There has been a group of lawyers working very hard to release the mothers. Fortunately some were released, but many are still detained.
Governor Deval Patrick was in New Bedford on Thursday, meeting the families, children and mothers affected. Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, Congressman Frank, Congressman Delahunt were there on Sunday.
You can find a collection of articles on the New Bedford raid at www.miracoalition.org
What we have done/are doing:
There has been a great need for donations, both material and monetary. An emergency SIM meeting was held on Saturday and we discussed fundraising for the New Bedford Families/Ninos Fund. We talked about the different cities and high school represented in SIM and Simmers from that school/city took responsibility for fundraising in their school, churches and business in that area. After our discussion we made collection cans and boxes that we would then take to leave at the local businesses that are willing to participate.
The cities that were represented at the meeting are:
Cambridge
Somerville
Chelsea
East Boston
Everett
How you can help:
You too can fundraise for the New Bedford Families/ Ninos Fund. Ask your Principal and teachers if you can make an announcement at your school about what happened, and ask your fellow students and teachers to donate some money. Talk to your pastor or religious leader if you can speak at the next service about the New Bedford raid and ask the members to contribute to the Ninos Fund.
As of now, they are in more need of monetary donations than of material goods (food, etc.).
If you do receive any physical donations, you can send them to:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Convent
2 Acushnet Ave.
New Bedford, MA
Monetary Donations:
Checks should be written to MIRA Coalition. In the memo line put “New Bedford Families/ Ninos Fund”
Mail the checks to Mira Coalition, 105 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 02111.
Money can also be donated online by going to https://www.communityroom.net/donate.asp?id=331
MIRA Coalition is the recipient, in the “Special Instructions” Section, put New Bedford Families/ Ninos Fund.
If you collect cash, please drop it off at the MIRA Coalition, 105 Chauncy St., Boston, MA 02111.
Upcoming Events
On Saturday, March 17, 2007 @ 2:30 PM there is going to be a rally to support the Detainees and their families!
53 North Sixth Street (Corner of Sixth and Elm), New Bedford, MA
Please join us in supporting them! Let me know if you want to go on Saturday!!!!!!!!
Next Meeting
It would be good to set up a meeting so that we can bring together all the money we have raised and talk about what has been happening as well as our next steps.
When would you like to meet, this Friday or early Saturday?
Write back and let me know what day works best for you!
-Patricia
Patricia De Oliveira
Student Immigrant Movement (SIM)
Massachusetts
Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
105 Chauncy St,
9th floor
Boston, MA
02111
Phone: (617) 350-5480 x219
Fax: (617) 350-5499
pdeol...@miracoalition.org