We are in the home stretch of our attempts to secure protections for immigrant families in Massachusetts - the formal legislative session ends July 31. We need all hands on deck to ask our legislators to ACT NOW and pass protective legislation before Tuesday.
Earlier this week, Bishop Alan Gates, Bishop Bud Cederholm, and Dean Amy McCreath joined faith-rooted and grassroots leaders to lament that legislators have still not acted in favor of immigrant families - watch a video of Bishop Gates speaking at the rally here.
There is still time for House and Senate members to make it right! They will be working through the weekend and need to hear from us, their constituents. Here are two ways you can act with us:
Saturday, July 28 - Rally and Visit Your Legislator - 11:30 AM
Join faith and immigrant leaders at the State House this Saturday for a final push to persuade state legislators to pass four basic protections for immigrant families before formal sessions end on Tuesday.
11:30 AM - Arrive at State House and go through security.
12:00 PM - Meet on the Grand Staircase to peacefully demonstrate with faith and immigrant leaders.
1:00 PM - Visit your legislator's office and ask them to pass protections now.
Call and email your legislators and ask for the immediate passing of statewide immigrant protections before July 31.
Call and email both your Representative and Senator (find names and contact information here). Make sure to identify yourself as a constituent - see details below for how to make a strong ask.
Call Speaker DeLeo's office at 617-722-2500 and ask him to bring the legislation to the floor.
The message: Immigrant families in Massachusetts are suffering. Hyper-aggressive enforcement is tearing families apart every day, and thousands more live in fear that a traffic stop or 911 call could destroy their world. This is a crisis, and we can't wait another year to address it.
Please find a way to pass the four protections that the Senate had included in the budget. As your constituent, I expect you to fight for what's right. Urge leadership to bring these protections to a vote, one way or another, before July 31. Thank you!
You can also use our partner MIRA's Phone2Action page, which allows you to call or email your legislators with one click. For more information about either action contact ECM's Lead Organizer, Dax Crocker, at 617-590-8606 or dax@episcopalcitymission.org.
In Solidarity,
Natalie Finstad - Director of Programs and Engagement
