News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Mar. 11, 2013: An estimated 700 African Americans and Black immigrants from the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America and throughout the globe will join Clergy United to Save and Heal, a Caribbean Clergy Faith Based Network for a pro-immigration rally on D.C.
The ‘Black Communities for Immigrant Justice Rally’ is set for Wednesday March 20, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the United States Capitol Grounds.
The rally’s aim is to demonstrate the strength and unity of black immigrant groups on the immigration reform debate.
While the debate has been driven by the Latino community, Black immigrants in the US make up approximately 10 percent of the foreign-born population. However, black migrants (from Africa and the Caribbean) face unprecedented adversity and are often forgotten in the immigration debate, said Clergy United to Save and Heal.
“What’s worse is black immigrants are being detained at deported at 5 times the rate despite the fact that they’re not the largest undocumented immigrant group in the US,” the group said in a statement. “In New York City those who are deported the most are Jamaicans, Haitians and Dominicans, which illustrates the racialized nature of the issue. Nigeria and Brazil also made the top 10 list of countries where deportees come from.”
CUSH Chairman, Bishop Orlando Findlayter said: “We’ve been advocating with our communities for many years now and this is because the moral conviction we have about the issues, and our quest to keep families together.”
Pastor Gilford T. Monrose explained: “Our parishioners face many challenges in the immigration system and this is not right. Black Immigrants are an integral part of the society and have contributed greatly to the cultural and economic fabric of the United States.”
National Coordinator, Opal Tometi, of the Black Immigration Network adds, “We’ve seen an attempt to reverse the gains made by the civil rights movement through the anti-immigrant movement, and now it’s time to put a decisive end to the regressive politics that only further disenfranchise and criminalize communities of color. The time for full citizenship for all is now.”
Three main organizations that have come together to ensure the success of this rally are Clergy United to Save and Heal, The Black Institute and The Black Immigration Network.
African Americans are also joining this fight to lend their voice and to stop the reversal of civil rights gains under the guise of immigration enforcement.
Other organizations who are also participating in the rally are: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, New Sanctuary Coalition, NY Communities for Change, Make The Road NY, Caribbean American Faith-Based Leadership Network, Cameroon American Council, Women Supporting Women, Families for Freedom, African Diaspora for Change, 32 BJ SEIU, 1199 SEIU, Black Alliance for Just Immigration and Caribbean Women Health Association.
