Letter: Local committee springs up to advocate for undocumented workers
May 12, 2008
To the Editor:
The members of the local Immigrant Rights Committee would like to invite the community to an upcoming film screening focusing on immigrant issues. The film “Dying to Live” will be screened this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Ohio University’s Alden Library 319 (Friends of the Libraries Room). According to the film’s Web site, “’Dying to Live’ is a profound look at the human face of the immigrant. It explores who these people are, why they leave their homes and what they face in their journey. Drawing on the insights of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographers, theologians, church and congressional leaders, activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves, this film exposes the places of conflict, pain and hope along the U.S.-Mexico border. It is a reflection of the human struggle for a more dignified life and the search to find God in the midst of that struggle.” We hope to create awareness of the serious concerns facing immigrants not only across the nation but within our very own community. Education is key to build understanding.
The Immigrant Rights Committee is a new local activist group comprised of students, faculty, staff and community members. Our focus is immigrants without legal documents. We are dedicated to ensuring that the immigrants in our community and their families can find a decent life. As a group, we are working to provide support for local immigrants, particularly through information about health-care services, emergency food, access to legal advice, and other needed social services. Advocacy is also essential in order to create change in current national policies that have caused people to fear imprisonment and/ or deportation. A long-term solution must be developed in order to offer legal residence and access to employment for this population in the United States. Help us to join the fight against human-rights violations being played out in our community. Join us Wednesday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Alden 319 for the screening of “Dying to Live” and learn what you can do to become an active member in your community. We will also meet on May 28 at 7:30 p.m. at UCM (18 N. College Street).
Members of the Immigrant Rights Committee: Beauty Emefa Agbavor, Jan Griesinger, George Hartley, Darcy Higgins, Christina A. Myrick, Evelyn Ramirez-Nagy,Kerri Shaw and Melissa Wales
Comments
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BrentLayton commented, on May 14, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.:
I thought this was a stupid idea when I read about this and then I see who is involved and I know this is a stupid idea. There is know way I want these illegals in our community and here are just two of the reasons.
1. They will bring more drugs and crime into Athens. It's bad enough we have these students but illegals.
2. The tax burden they will bring. The will need welfare, housing and medical benefits. Which will come via a tax increase. I am a working family man and I pay enough for the local welfare people to sit around, smoke dope and make babies. I can't afford a bunch of foreigners doing this.
I hope the powers that be have the good sense to put an end to this goofy committee before it gets any more ridiculous.
