CONFERENCE CALL: Fighting the Anti-Immigrant Movement in the States
By Progressive States Network
National
and state leaders will join a conference call hosted by the Progressive
States Network this Thursday afternoon to discuss state legislative
strategy around immigration for the upcoming 2008 state legislative
session. As states begin preparing for the 2008 session this conference
call will be a chance for key decision makers and interested parties to
discuss how to make immigration a winning issue for progressives.
From
the Presidential race, to state ballot initiatives, to local
ordinances, immigration has leapt to the forefront of state and
national political debate. In 2006, 570 bills anti-immigrant bills were
introduced in state legislatures; this past session, there were over
1,100. Nevertheless, a number of states have taken positive steps,
cracking down on employers who violate wage and employment laws, and
expanding health coverage to children regardless of immigration status.
Speakers
on the call include California Senator Gilbert Cedillo, Illinois
Representative Cynthia Soto, Flavia Jimenez of the National Council of
La Raza, Stephanie Luongo of Service Employees International Union
(SEIU), and Nathan Newman, Policy Director for Progressive States
Network.
WHAT: Conference call to discuss progressive state legislative strategy on immigration for the 2008 session.
WHO: Key state legislators, advocates, and media.
WHEN: Thursday, November 15th at 4pm EST
WHERE: 1-800-391-1709 - login: 70-94-24
RSVP: http://tinyurl.com/3b6tm2
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Tuesday, November 13
CONFERENCE CALL: Fighting the Anti-Immigrant Movement in the States
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 13 Nov 2007 08:57 AM CST
Tuesday, October 23
Controversial Rabbi Michael Lerner to Speak at Spiritual Progressives Conference Nov. 3rd in the Quad Cities
by
Caroline Vernon
on Tue 23 Oct 2007 05:23 PM CDT
Controversial Rabbi Michael Lerner to Speak at Spiritual Progressives Conference Nov. 3rd in the Quad Cities By James Lee As the Election Season closes in on the Quad Cities, people are looking at the vast challenges facing our country and questioning how individual citizens can make a difference. According to national polling, over 70% of Americans feel that our nation is on the "wrong track". Organizers of the Spiritual Progressives Conference feel the answers to many of our concerns and worries are rooted in our values, faith and spirituality. Quad Cities Progressive Action for the Common Good (PACG) in conjunction with Churches United of the Quad Cities, Democracy for America–Quad Cities, Davenport Unitarian Church, Edwards Congregational-UCC, First Congregational-UCC, Network for Spiritual Progressives, and a host of other supporters are sponsoring a Spiritual Progressives Conference on November 3, 2007. The theme of the conference is: Living our Faith: Integrating Values and Politics in the Heartland. PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE It is our hope that the conference will help the public better understand how to more effectively integrate progressive values with political action that can create positive change in our nation. Conference organizers assert that progressives have been the social innovators who have initiated changes in our society that have given us more freedom, liberty, and equality. Progressives believe in continually improving our society in order to assist as many people as possible to achieve a better life for themselves, their families and the community as a whole. During this time of national drift when confusion seems widespread over what America represents and truly believes, progressive people must amplify their voices in the public conversation on what we value as a nation. We reject the tactic of using religion and spiritual traditions to be a divisive force in our nation; pitting one group of Americans against another group. We believe that ethics and morality cannot be claimed as the property of a single religion or political group, but must be understood in the context of furthering the well being of all humanity, present and future. The conference will cover three main areas:
1) Promoting a conversation on Progressive Values, Faith & and Spirituality The key-note speaker, Rabbi Michael Lerner, will examine the question of how our values are translated into political action. Rabbi Lerner is an internationally renowned social theorist, theologian, editor of Tikkun magazine, and author of The Left Hand of God: Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right. He has a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley and is the founder of the Network for Spiritual Progressives. Faith, values, and spirituality play an important role in responding to the many challenges we face in our country today. The primary focus of this conference will be to explore how our values, faith, and spirituality can direct political action and transform our nation and our world. In so doing, this conference will be addressing the most serious issues facing our communities such as affordable, quality health care, the war, and global warming to name a few. Conference workshops include topics such as "Challenging the Misuse of God and Religion by the Religious Right", "Global Consciousness and Ecological Sanity", "Our Common Values" and "Grounding Justice Work in Spiritual Practice". To learn more about other workshops which will be presented at this conference,
click here. To download the flyer to print (double-sided to conserve paper) go to our home page: www.qcprogressiveaction.org. The Conference commences at 9:30am with a spiritual reflection on the state of our world. Rabbi Michael Lerner will speak at 10:15am. Workshops will continue throughout the day. At 2:30pm Rabbi Lerner will be part of a panel discussion with local leaders on the state of values and spirituality in our nation. Lunch will be served and the conference will come to a close at 3:30pm. This event is open to the public; seating is limited. To Register, contact PACG at 563-676-7580 or go to our website for more information: www.qcprogressiveaction.org. Interfaith Service The conference begins with an Interfaith Service led by Rabbi Lerner on Friday evening, November 2nd, 7pm at the Unitarian Church, 3707 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, Iowa. Spiritual Progressives Conference On Saturday morning, November 3rd, the Spiritual Progressive Conference will be held at the First Congregational Church-UCC, 2201 Seventh Avenue, Moline, IL 61265. Registration starts at 9:30AM. Book Signing with Rabbi Lerner Saturday evening, November 3rd, 5:30pm at Borders Bookstore, 4000 E 53rd St in Davenport. Friday, July 20
"Find a Legal Way to Immigrate" IMMIGRATION GAME!
by
Sam Garchik
on Fri 20 Jul 2007 05:00 PM CDT
"Find a Legal Way to Immigrate" IMMIGRATION GAME! By WENDY VASQUEZ WHAT: Saturday, June 30
Help Pass Immigration Reform
by
Sam Garchik
on Sat 30 Jun 2007 06:58 AM CDT
Help Pass Immigration Reform
By Dave Bradley Friends, I wish to share in the sentiments of our Central Iowa colleagues at AFSC, AILA and Iowa AIR: Fortunately or unfortunately, the Immigration Proposal (I cannot call it reform) in the Senate didn't get the votes necessary to continue the Immigration debate (see the roll call below). Whether we like it or not however, we can expect home and workplace raids to continue in the rise; we need to be prepared for a wave of strict immigration and other law enforcement. Immigrants need to be prepared individually, and as families to exercise their rights (the few they still have), and to tell their storiesan important way to revert the anti-immigrant sentiment. Communities need to be prepared to respond to the chaotic aftermath of these law enforcement operations: children without one or both parents and/or families without a breadwinner, slowed down businesses, media frenzy, rampant fear and suffering. I would like to encourage you all, to come up with ideas to implement a few things: a) Organize Know Your Rights workshops for immigrants in your local community b) Identify immigrant supporters in your community to organize Emergency Response Teams in case of a raid at home or in the workplace. c) Organize local community forums to educate voters on why its important for Iowa to welcome immigrants and support Comprehensive Immigration Reform (several of us in this list, are prepared to speak and/or to help you form Speakers). d) Come up with some key sentences to tell the media if they approach you for comments. e) Try to attend/participate in the caucuses, and propose Comprehensive Immigration Reform as an issue important to the state. f) Keep in touch, keep learning about immigrants contributions, and above all, encourage immigrants to tell their stories (help them to write them in English). There is a website that will be compiling those stories, the address is: http://www.dreamsacrossamericaonline.org/ all you have to do is click on the window that says share your story. You do not need to be involved in everything, choose one activity that youre passionate about it or for which you have the skills already, any help is appreciated! Among those of you in this list-serve, there is plenty of talent, energy and leadership to reverse the current anti-immigrant tidewe seem to have a couple of years to do so! We should make our congress accountable for failing to pass a much needed Immigration Reform; and we must call to tabs irresponsible mass media outlets for bringing only one side of the discussion to the air waves and people who are far from being experts on the issue! Saturday, June 16
Four Iowa Reps Vote For Tancredo Amendment - Only Loebsack Opposed
by
Sam Garchik
on Sat 16 Jun 2007 05:19 PM CDT
Four Iowa Reps Vote For Tancredo Amendment - Only Loebsack Opposed
By John Deeth (Originally Posted in the Iowa Independent). In a surprise win, presidential candidate Tom Tancredo Friday successfully tacked on an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations bill that would withhold federal emergency services funding for "sanctuary cities" that protect illegal immigrants. The House passed the amendment, 234 to 189, with 50 Democrats voting in favor. In the Iowa delegation, Iowan Bruce Braley and Leonard Boswell joined Republicans Steve King and Tom Latham in supporting the amendment; only Democrat Dave Loebsack opposed it. The amendment does not define "sanctuary cities," but Tancredo uses the term to describe cities in which local police don't assist the feds in arresting the undocumented. He lists Denver and Boulder as examples. Last year, Tancredo and other immigration foes bought billboards in Denver, including one reading: "Welcome to SANCTUARY CITY." Tancredo has introduced similar amendments at least seven other times since 2004, but each has failed -- often by wide margins. He told the Rocky Mountain News this is an indicator that the House would crush immigration reform if it passes the Senate. "If I were Nancy Pelosi, I'd be asking if she could pass a vote on amnesty on the House side," Tancredo said. "If she lost 50 Democrats on this one, and she says she needs 70 Republicans to pass the immigration plan, this is an interesting indicator of things coming down the pike, and that the times, they are a-changing." Monday, June 4
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
by
Caroline Vernon
on Mon 04 Jun 2007 09:30 AM CDT
Establishing our Progressive Iowa Network (PIN) - Update
By Caroline Vernon This Saturday, June 9th, progressive leaders, legislators and activists from various organizations across Iowa will come together for the first DFA-Iowa Networking Summit. We will be gathering at the Iowa City Public Library from 9am to 3pm (the last hour will be devoted to DFA-IA administrative business). Some of our great leaders who will be in attendance include Charlie Chamberlain from Democracy for America, Ed Fallon, Denise O’Brien, and Senator Joe Bolkcom, just to name a few… Once again, the purpose of this gathering is to establish a Progressive Iowa Network which will serve to better unite progressives across the state in order to support each others efforts around important issues, particularly if we hope to be more effective moving into the next legislative session. Besides providing an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow progressives, one direct benefit of an Iowa Network would be the enhanced ability to articulate our progressive world view by creating a state-wide echo chamber that will carry our unified message to all Iowans. As previously indicated, we have identified 5 issues in Iowa that require urgent action: 1. VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections) 2. CAFO regulations / Farm Bill 3. Fair Share 4. Healthcare 5. Media Also, due to the recent vote on the Iraq supplemental bill, it is our hope that peace activists from across Iowa will take advantage of this opportunity to come together to discuss potential state wide initiatives that will effectively pressure those in Congress who voted for the bill. In addition to addressing the above issues, we are tracking organizations by their particular area(s) of focus. This list has also evolved since my last blog: 1. Policy / Research 2. Lobbying 3. Media & Blogs 4. Grassroots Organizing These 4 areas have been added: 5. Direct Action 6. Education 7. Funding (to identify potential sources of funding) 8. Political Campaigns (organizations who can be involved with campaigns) We are working on compiling a comprehensive list of all participating organizations, including contact information, primary areas of focus and primary issues of concern. If you or your organization will be attending the summit, we ask that you submit your information using the example below (4 stars = primary focus) Example: Organization: Progressive Action for the Common Good Address: 3707 Eastern Ave, Davenport, IA 52807 Contact Information: (name/position/phone/email): Caroline Vernon, Organizer, 563-676-7580, carolina1961@gmail.com. James Lee, Executive Director, 563-650-3922, jlee6367@yahoo.com Areas of Focus Rating Issues Rating Policy/Research VOICE **** Lobbying ** CAFO/Farm Bill *** Media/Blogs Media ** Grassroots Organizing **** Fair Share ** Direct Action *** Healthcare *** Education ** Funding * Other: _Peace _ **** Poltical Campaigns Please send the above information to carolina1961@gmail.com by Thursday, June 7th so we can be sure to include your information in the hand-out. It is important to note that we encourage ALL progressive organizations to attend this meeting and become part of the network even if we may not be focusing on your specific issues at this time. The goal of the network is to create a framework designed to support all progressive initiatives. We need everyone’s participation in order to succeed. If you have any questions, please call Caroline Vernon at 563-676-7580. Hope to see you Saturday! Thursday, May 17
Take the Bus to the US Social Forum Jun 27th
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 17 May 2007 10:25 AM CDT
Take the Bus to the US Social Forum June 27th
Mark Your Calendars for the Progressive Event of the Year! By Caroline Vernon PACG is working on securing a bus (or two) to take a large Iowa contingent to Atlanta, Georgia from June 27th thru July 1st to attend the US Social Forum (USSF). Please mark your calendars and spread the word far and wide. Details about the cost of the bus trip and available lodging will be forthcoming... stay tuned... Excerpt from the site: The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression. The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world. The USSF sends a message to other people's movements around the world that there is an active movement in the US opposing US Policies at home and abroad. We must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to get there. A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible! Check out the following link to see some of the many workshops that will be available... http://www.ussf2007.org/en |
Iowa Sites Child & Family Policy Center - Iowa Genetic Engineering Action Network Iowa Citizen Action Network - ICAN Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility Iowa Public Interest Research Group Midwest Environmental Justice Advocates Progressive Action for the Common Good Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa QCAD (Quad-Citians Affirming Diversity - GLBT) Iowa Blogs The Deprogrammer (Quad Cities) Iowa True Blue (Gordon Fischer's Blog) Iowa Voters for Open and Transparent Elections Political FalloutFight Iowa Rapid Response Network - Iowa
Iowans for Better Local TV
Air America
The Counterpoint
National FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting
Media Matters for America
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