SIM Upcoming events - Update from Lobby Day in DC

[Patricia Deoliveira]

Hello!

 

As you know, this past Wednesday was a National Lobby Day in support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform.  14 Simmers, from all over Massachusetts were there, representing the youth of MA, to lobby for the DREAM Act!

 

Before I get into the update, let's take a look at upcoming events:

 

Upcoming Events

 

What: Raly to support the families and children traumatized by the raid in New Bedford

 

Where:

NEW LOCATION!!!

Greater New Bedford Vocational High School
1121 Ashley Blvd
New Bedford, MA 02745

 

When: Saturday(tomorrow), March 17, 2007 at 2:30pm

 

 I NEED TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A WAY FOR EVERYBODY TO GET THERE!

 

If you want to go, CALL ME!!!!!!!!!!! ar 617-350-5480 x219 or at  617-669-4236.

 

 

DC Update:

 

We joined other advocates from Massachusetts on a bus that left at midnight Tuesday/Wednesday, drove through the night and arrived in DC Wednesday morning, then got back on the bus Wednesday at 7pm to arrive in Boston early Thursday morning.

 

Joining us at our meetings was Eva Millona, Policy Director of MIRA. We had 5 meetings scheduled with the offices of Congressman Neal, Congressman Lynch, Congressman Delahunt, Congressman Markey and Senator Kerry.

 

 A couple of our students were also able to join the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALAAC) in thier meeting with Congressman Frank. (Thanks NALAAC!)

 

We split into two groups, the 1st group met with Neal and Markey, the 2nd with Lynch. All Simmers were able to meet with Delahunt and Kerry. All of our meetings went very well, but there are a few meetings that stick out:

 

 - Congressman Markey was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act last year, we asked if he would co-sponsor it again this year and Roberto, his immigration staff person, said that it was something that the Congressman was going to do. He was also very interested in listening to the stories of all of the students present at the meeting.

 

 - Our meeting with Senator Kerry's office was great! Lindsay, a Congressional aide to Senator Kerry, was very interested in hearing our stories and was very supportive. Senator Kerry has been very supportive of DREAM as well as the families affected by the New Bedford raids.

 

- The meeting with Congressman Delahunt's office also went very well. Congressman Delahunt is very supportive. He joined Senators Kennedy and Kerry in New Bedford last week to speak to the families affected by the raid. His aide also took the time to hear from all of the students present at the meeting.

 

 

In general, they were all very impressed with SIM and the work that we have done for Access to Higher Education for Immigrant Students, both at the state and federal level,  as well as our work on the elections, and our support of the New Bedford Families.

 

And of all the things they told us, there is one thing that they all said, and that is to KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!!

 

We need to continue to organize, to make phone calls and write e-mails. We need to make sure that the Congressmen and Senators hear from supporters!!!

 

 

See you all tomorrow!!!!!

 

 

-Patricia

 

 

 

 

Patricia de Oliveira
Student Immigrant Movement
www.simforus.com
Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition
www.miracoalition.org
105 Chauncy St, 9th floor
Boston, MA 02111
Phone: (617) 350-5480 x219
Fax: (617) 350-5499
pdeol...@miracoalition.org