Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
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PRESS RELEASE: Over 1,200 gather for Interfaith Summit for Immigrant Justice

4/12/2007 3:40 pm - Boston, MA – Today at the Massachusetts State House, over 1,200 immigrants and community leaders gathered for an Interfaith Summit for Immigrant Justice. From communities across Massachusetts faith leaders came to join a chorus for immigrant justice. Over 150 faith-based organizations and religious institutions endorsed the event.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2007

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ali Noorani, 617-835-1402

Over 1,200 gather for Interfaith Summit for Immigrant Justice

Boston, MA – Today at the Massachusetts State House, over 1,200 immigrants and community leaders gathered for an Interfaith Summit for Immigrant Justice. From communities across Massachusetts faith leaders came to join a chorus for immigrant justice. Over 150 faith-based organizations and religious institutions endorsed the event.

Reverend Cheng Imm Tan of the Office of New Bostonians read in her invocation, "Fire our hearts to act with courage, protest if necessary to right the wrongs; Banish fear from our minds to proclaim loudly and clearly that justice, compassion and connection is the bedrock of security.

Sister Tess Browne, Mistress of Ceremonies, opened the event saying "We are here today to hear from faith traditions on how we are called to treat one another, to educate on ways to strengthen the Commonwealth for all residents and to practice good citizenship."

Sheikh Bsyouny Nehela of the Islamic Society of Boston remarked, "This meeting is a gift of God. We gather here to help our government deal with immigrants in a just and fair way."

Reverend Hurmon Hamilton of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church and Greater Boston Interfaith Organization said, "Beware of how you deal with strangers for they may be the angels of tomorrow. Now we look at our Senate President, our Speaker of the House and our Governor, and they are the descendants the strangers of yesterday – Irish, Italian and African. They are now the angels of today."

Kermit Dunkelberg of the Ludlow Area Adult Learning Center, who brought over 100 students from Western Massachusetts said, "This was a great experience for our students. They met their legislators and a community of immigrant from across the Commonwealth."

For more information go to: http://www.miracoalition.org/issues/state/interfaith-summit

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MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing, policy analysis and advocacy.
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