Prayer
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) has published a Lenten Reflection Guide. I know it’s a little late, but you may find it a welcome addition to your Lenten journey. It includes opportunities to take action in addition to prayer and reflection.
God who created humans from the dust of the ground,
we pray flights immorally sending families away
would stay grounded.
Remove policies that hold communities in fear,
and instead may we fast in repentance
for ways we have been complicit in feeding such fears.
Hold us accountable as a nation for cruel separations of families
and racist practices, and
Strengthen us to grow your Force of Love
until the oppressed truly become free.
Amen
(by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition)
Advocacy and Action
Advocacy and Action TOMORROW! Are you interested in learning what will be on the horizon for the new Congressional session? NETWORK is hosting an informational Zoom tomorrow from 7-8 PM EST. There are an overwhelming number of issues we face as a nation and a world. This session can offer good insight into what realistic advocacy we can engage in. Register here. If it comes up with my name pre-filled, just delete and type over.
HR 1280, George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This crucial piece of legislation is aimed at improving public safety and reducing police violence by implementing much-needed reforms in law enforcement practices. You can sign a petition through the People for the America Way. Or, better yet, contact your elected officials via phone or email and ask them to support this legislation.
Education
- The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (of which SNDdeN Ohio is a founding community) has released their Annual Report. The Ohio Province supports IJPC with an annual donation for the incredible work they do.
- In addition, please take a look at the Winter Issue of their newsletter. It has a lot of information on significant structural changes in store for IJPC – including a name change. If you wish to be a part of that discussion, the newsletter lets you know how to do that.
- Heads up! The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice issued a proposed rule on Thursday, Feb. 23, to limit access to asylum for people who enter the U.S. without authorization through the southwest border if they did not seek asylum in a third country before arriving in the U.S. Immigrant rights advocates are reviewing the 153-page rule. There will be advocacy opportunities shortly on this as there is a public comment period through March 20, 2023. These comment periods are tools that can be used for any legal action that is taken if the rule in put into effect. You can submit a formal comment at the link above.