- Home
- National Coalition
- One Community United Campaign
One Community United Campaign
Chicago Townhall May 2010: Community members gather to discuss Immigrant Rights in the South Asian Community
Chicago IL - Over 80 South Asian community members and allies gathered on May 26 for the One Community United Town Hall on Immigrant and Human Rights, a community forum presented by the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO) at the Indo-American Center (IAC) near Chicago's historic Devon Avenue. Participants in the town hall observed how the current immigration system in the US does not provide basic protections that are widely considered human rights. At the close of the town hall, attendees and organizational representatives identified ways to take action on immigration policy change: participating in the national debate by sharing personal stories with Congress, working locally with Chicago organizations to advocate for just and humane immigration reform and more.The town hall was co-sponsored by: Albany Park Neighborhood Council; Arab American Action Network (AAAN); Arab American Family Services (AAFS); Asian American Institute; Coalition of African, Arab, Asian, European, and Latino Immigrants of Illinois (CAAAELII); Community Builders Chicago (CBC); Muslim Women Resource Center; Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR); Indo American Coalition for Immigration (IACI); and North American Association of Indian IT Professionals (NAAIP).
Check out pictures and blogs from this event.
About the Campaign
Where has OCU been to date? Atlanta; New Jersey; and Miami/Fort Lauderdale. To bring OCU to your city, contact info@saalt.org today!In June 2008, more than 30 community-based organizations around the country came together to announce the formation of the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations (NCSO). Members of the NCSO came together around shared progressive principles and social justice values. Since our formation a year ago, the Coalition has issued statements in response to current events, published joint opinion editorials about relevant issues and gathered for the 2009 National South Asian Summit that took place in Washington, DC in April 2009.
On the one-year anniversary of the formation of the Coalition, the members of the NCSO are proud to unveil a new campaign -One Community United: A Campaign for Immigrant and Civil Rights.
|
www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing items in a set called Atlanta Town Hall - Webpage. Make your own badge here.
|
The One Community United campaign will raise awareness about the immigration challenges and civil rights violations that South Asians encounter; mobilize community members around these issues; and encourage policymakers to strengthen civil rights protections and reform immigration laws in a just and humane manner. Over the next year, broad changes in immigration and civil rights policies are expected. These opportunities highlight the need for South Asians to speak out about our community's experiences and mobilize towards policy change. As part of the campaign, members of the NCSO will be advocating with policymakers, conducting town halls around the country and sharing stories with the media.
Take Action
- Call your member of Congress to express your support for immigration reform and strong civil rights policies. Find out who your member of Congress is by visiting www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.
- Stay up to date on immigration issues by texting “justice” to 69866
- Stay in touch with local and national organizations that work with the South Asian community.
- Share your immigration or civil rights story with SAALT by filling out this form or sending an email to info@saalt.org.
Hear From Atlanta, New Jersey, and Miami Townhalls
Atlanta Townhall (June 16, 2009) with Raksha, Indus Bar, the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and Khabar. Read more from Nureen Gulamali, one of the participants!New Jersey Townhall (July 27, 2009) with American Friends Service Committee, Andolan, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), Govinda Sanskar Temple, New Jersey Immigrant Policy Network, and the Sikh Coalition.
Miami Townhall (September 26, 2009) with Sahara of South Florida, Amnesty International Broward, CAIR-Florida, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Miami Dade Asian American Advisory Board, No More Tears, and South Asian Bar Association-Florida.
Quotes from OCU Townhalls
“The town hall was extremely eye-opening and thought provoking... I am going to chalk-out a plan of action...” Vandana“[I hope to] get a film camera and research similar themes and issues to document.” Earl
“In my Government classes I plan to take next year, I want to bring up the issues of human rights of immigrants.” Prittika
“I will keep up with bills introduced and contact [my elected] representative and share [my] immigration story with SAALT.” Noshin
Media
"Adding South Asian Voices to Immigration Reform Debate," South Asian Americans Leading Together and South Asian Network, India West June 22, 2009.
"Immigration Reform Must Heed LGBTIQ Voices," South Asian Americans Leading Together and Satrang, India West July 10, 2009.
