Dear Friends,
We are at a critical time in history, when the values our country was built on are being tested and clarified. The United States is a nation of immigrants: 98% of us have a heritage originating somewhere else in the world, and we have a proud history, enshrined in United States law, of offering protection to women, men, and children fleeing persecution and violence. For many of us, these values are also founded on religious traditions recognizing the oneness of humanity and a spiritual obligation to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
Many people are asking “What can I do to help?” Your engagement is critical – and there is something that everyone can do. Please, take action – today.
- Support organizations working to ensure refugees and immigrants can access the rights and protections that United States law entitles them to – including those recently detained as result of this week’s executive orders.
- Contact the White House via email, Facebook, or phone (202-456-1111) and tell the administration that these executive orders on immigration put refugees fleeing violence at risk of rape, torture, and death.
- Contact your congressional representative or senator to let them know that you expect our government to uphold the rights and legal protections of refugees and immigrants, the travel ban must end, and discrimination based on religion or national origin is illegal.
- Go to an airport with international flights from banned locations and join the crowds of supporters making their voices heard to end the travel ban.
- Have confidence in our system of government – that our three branches of government, with their respective checks and balances, will arrive at a solution that is not destructive to justice.
- Reflect on, and actively pursue, the transformation of our communities, our families, and our hearts, to embrace the oneness of humanity, the equality of people of all genders and nationalities, and our inevitable interdependence on one another. Make friendships across cultures – reach out, get to know people who have different national origins, religions, beliefs, or lifestyles than your own. In knowing and serving one another, we will come to understand our true brother- and sisterhood, our common humanity.
With gratitude for your partnership,
