[Pacg] Working For Change: Immigration - A Human Issue, Feb 24th

[Carolina 1961]

>From QC-AIR, Patti Van Sandt - vansandtp at yahoo.com:

Working for Change
Immigration – A Human Issue
February 24, 2007

   - *Time:     9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.*


   - *Place:    Moline Community Center
   **1613 5th Avenue*

***          Moline, Il 61265*
*          (**309) 797-9962                          *
* *
*Expected turnout based on organizations invited:  300 - 400 *
*Goals and Objectives:  **Educate Legislators on Immigration Issue* *
                     Provide Accurate and Reliable Immigration Information
*
*                            To Attendees & Broad Regional Community*
*                            Establish Regional Mobilization Efforts*
* *

   - *Structure-  This is a two part conference where we will have an
   opportunity to learn what is happening in the country, and in particular in
   our region of the country  regarding immigration.  Current  law,  new laws
   being proposed, and  also  what is actually happening as opposed to what  is
   legal.  It will  benefit  all of us in the quad cities and  Iowa/Illinois
   residents.
   *
   - *2nd part will be focused on Mobilization.  Special attention made
   to organize high school to 20-something adults.
   *

* Communities being encouraged to attend: **Geographic Outreach Area*
*   Metro Quad Cities                             Muscatine*
*   Columbus Junction                           Burlington*
*   Sterling Rock Falls*

I realize we get labeled a lot by the people we choose to associate with.  I
am a mom.  Avid outdoor person.  On the road a lot, or with my husband at
Augustana events.  I am a mediator, and work in the field of law.  But there
is a storm building up in me. Something is happening to people who live in
my neighborhood.  On the very street where I have a home.  Or just down from
my Rock Island Hy-Vee.  People are being herded like cattle--- being held
without respect for their rights--- and having had my fill of what is going
on at our Southern borders states, or at Guantanomo Bay, I can't sit by and
try to hide behind my race and privaledge.  It isn't just the Mexican's, or
the newcomers to the midwest-- the "them"--- that need to stand up and
figure out the rules around here.  If we want to have a hope of making
peace, all of us have to understand what is really happening in our
communities.

If you don't know the facts about all the parties responsible for what
happened with Swift, in Marshalltown, then you need to come to this
conference.  Skilled immigration attorneys will be educating the conference
attendees.

If you are concerned about what the hog processing plant and other meat
processing plant employees are experiencing on the job--long term work
related injuries, environmental impact, and pros and cons of what the plants
do for Iowa and Illinois communities, then you should come.  How can we
support the farming community, and increase job opportunities for all
parties?  Come.

If you want to know about the impact of NAFTA and CAFTA for Americans and
our neighbors, come.

To some, maybe you might want to know what it is like to arrive in Rock
Island from Sudan, or Vietnam and not be well received by any color of the
community.   Or, I wonder how hard it is to be African American at a
predominently white school?

This is a gathering event that promises to be safe for all attendees.

I don't have all the answers.  But this is a chance we can come learn from
one another.  Your presence is important to us.  This event is being
sponsored by CASA (Culture center in Los Flourentes neighborhood), Quad City
Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees (QCAIR), PACG, and several other major
organizations.

QCAIR will meet the 2nd Tuesday of this month, at the usual 6:30 - 8:00p.m.,
February 13th, First Christian Church on 7th St. in East Moline.  More
information to come later on this gathering.

In peace,
Patti Van Sandt

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each
other.
-Mother Teresa
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