A march and fast for our rights
ON JANUARY 1, 2010, four brave, determined students from Miami embarked on a 2,000-mile journey across the Southeast, all the way to our nation's capital, to galvanize unorganized communities and link immigrant rights networks and their allies to stand in solidarity for the passage of just and humane immigration reform.
The walkers, who will be joined by supporters from throughout Florida and other states along the way, expect to arrive in our nation's capital on May 1, cheered on by supporters from throughout the country, to begin fasting until their demands--equal access to higher education, a path to citizenship, an end to the separation of families, and a deliberate and radical shift from the federal funding of raids, detentions and deportations--are met.
Also on January 1, 2010, another group of directly affected individuals intend to demonstrate through personal sacrifice the urgency and desperation of keeping their families together. Taking sanctuary in a local church, they will begin a sustained indefinite "Fast for our Families," risking their lives for the sake of their families and communities.
A tradition in many faiths, the purpose of this fast is to touch the hearts of all who value family unity and the strength of our communities.
The fasters' demands include: Suspension of the detention and deportation of immigrants with U.S. citizen children, spouses and immigrant students until there is resolution on the passage of comprehensive immigration reform; work permits for immigrants with U.S. citizen children and spouses while Congress passes reform; creation of an honest process by which the best interests of communities, families and children are weighed before detaining and deporting any individual; and an in-person meeting with Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Fast for our Families celebrated its last meal with those embarking upon the Trail of DREAMs on New Year's Eve and will hold a sustained fast until the Obama administration hears and responds to the united voice of the families and communities torn apart by raids, detentions and deportations.
Also joining the fast is detained immigrant rights leader and father of four U.S. citizen children Jean Montrevil, who faces deportation to Haiti for a 20-year-old drug conviction, for which he has already served 11 years in prison. He has not broken any laws since.
Luissana Santibanez, from the Internet
