Border Action Network Taking its Message to March in Washington
February 12, 2010
Twenty members of Border Action Network, a human rights organization based in Arizona, will join 100,000 participants in a march on Washington, D.C., demanding immigration reform. The march, planned for March 21, represents a national call to action and comes at a heated time in the debate over immigration reform.
Across the U.S., immigration reform supporters have raised their voices, delivering 100,000 postcards to key legislators, flooding the White House with phone calls and e-mails, and holding vigils and rallies in their cities.
Border Action Network members have led this fight in Arizona, sending nearly 20,000 postcards to President Barack Obama, Sen. John McCain and Congressional Representatives.
The group said the past year has seen an escalation in deportations, families ripped apart, and state legislatures passed anti-immigrant legislation.
A few weeks ago, Obama devoted only a few sentences to immigration reform in his State of the Union address, the group said.
“Though times are tough in the U.S. and in Arizona, reforming our immigration system will present more benefits than problems, especially for workers, businesses and families,” says Jennifer Allen, executive director of the Border Action Network. “The U.S. is in dire need of real solutions, like immigration reform, that can push the country forward and make it competitive, while reinforcing the value of family unity. To pursue these solutions, we need to take action.”
At Border Action Network’s General Assembly on Feb. 6, members from Douglas, Pirtleville, Sierra Vista, Nogales and Tucson decided to do just that, joining the national call to march in Washington. During their trip, Border Action members also plan to meet with members of the Arizona congressional delegation.
Over the next month, members will raise money to cover their costs by holding a variety of fundraising events, such as car washes.
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