[GPRI] helping New Bedford families

[S L]

Here's a message and some info from some Providence
folks on how to help New Bedford families affected by
the immigration raid last week.  --Steve

First of all, thank you all for your generosity. We
headed to New Bedford with over $500 worth of baby
supplies, $215 in cash to go directly to affected
families, 9 donated boxes of canned goods and baby
supplies.

Our help is still needed! What happens in New Bedford
could affect what is going to happen across the nation
in the future. By having such a large raid in a “blue
state” and pro-immigrant community, ICE (the new name
for the INS) is testing the waters. We need to
demonstrate a public outcry against such raids to keep
them from happening again and again. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) Monetary Donations Are Needed:

MIRA is collecting money in a separate account to be
distributed to community organizations responding in
the affected areas. All donations through this account
will be distributed to the affected New Bedford
families.

To Donate On-Line: [
https://www.communityroom.net/donate.asp?id=331]
Choose "MIRA" as the recipient, then specify that the
funds are for "New Bedford Immigrant Families / Ninos
Fund." Or send a check to the MIRA Coalition, 105
Chauncy St , Boston , MA 02111 . Please specify in the
memo line that the funds are for "New Bedford
Immigrant Families / Ninos Fund." Donations are
tax-deductible and all donations marked "New Bedford
Immigrant Families / Ninos Fund" will be distributed
to the affected families through the appropriate local
community and service organizations. 

2) Donate Supplies:

While the immediate needs have been met thanks to the
generosity of the community, food and supply donations
will be needed again in the near future. The New
Bedford community is developing a system of
distribution for food, clothing and material goods.
Right now monetary donations are the most useful. The
MIRA website will be updated when specific needs
arise, and we will make sure donations get to New
Bedford from the following collection points in Rhode
Island.

Providence , RI :
*American Civilization Department, Brown University (
82 Waterman Street )
*Center for the Study of Race & Ethnicity, Brown
University ( 150 Power Street )
*ACME Video ( 137 Brook St )

Portsmouth, RI:
*Clements Marketplace (2575 East Main Road)


3) Press Conference, Tuesday March 13th, 5pm
In front of the immigration Office (200 Dyer Stre.
Providence)

Enough! No More Raids - solidarity with our companeras
in New Bedford. Providence shows our solidarity as we
declare our city A Raid-Free Zone.

Together, we reject the terror.

Sponsored by: Nuevo Amanecer of St. Teresa, English
for Action, Olneyville Neighborhood Association,
Comite de Inmigrantes en Accion, International Social
Organization, Uniendo Fronteras, Catholic Diocese of
Providence, New Life Ministry and other organizations.


4) Call Your Congressmen: Ask them to speak directly
with Secretary Chertoff to request that he "Release
the Moms." Demand a moratorium on deportations until
reform has passed. A simple google search will provide
contact information for the senators and congressmen
in your state. 

RI Contacts: 
Senator Jack Reed (202) 224-4642
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (202) 224-2921
Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy (202) 225-4911
Congressman Jim Langevin (202) 225-2735

5) Volunteer
If you are or know a lawyer who is willing to take
pro-bono cases, or are a mental health professional,
preferably a bilingual Spanish speaker, please call
MIRA with your name and contact information at
617-350-5480 x212. Volunteers are needed in Texas and
New Mexico as well. 


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Federal immigration agents raided a New Bedford
leather manufacturer Tuesday March 7th in full
military style (including helicopters). At least 340
workers were detained from the Michael Bianco Inc.
factory. The factory employs mostly women and mostly
immigrants from Guatemala and El Salvador. Early
reports show the raid destroyed hundreds of families
and left dozens upon dozens of babies and young
children without a home. Over 100 children were
directly affected. Some of the detainees were already
flown out to Texas to a larger detention area.
Somewhat coincidentally, the raid led to the arrest of
a handful of unscrupulous employers - none of whom
were charged for any of their violations of labor law.
Federal officials are calling Tuesday's attack the
largest INS raid in recent history.


SEE: http://www.miracoalition.org/


Photos of the Raid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxnHGeENkmE


 
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