It is a critical time for immigrant youth around the country as they mobilize for the Dream Act. Letters have been written, phone calls have been made, coalitions have been built, 250 miles have been walked to Washington, DC, and even 10 days of hunger strike have occurred. Along the way we have gained support of our community, organizations, universities, and local politicians. However, 10 years into the struggle for the passage of the Dream Act, our Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez has failed to come out in its support. She has failed to represent the dreams of youth in her district and to support the millions of Latino/a youth and their families in the United States as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
President Obama recently spoke to the nation about the urgency for a change in our immigration system. Even though the President and Democratic leadership have not provided a concrete plan to do this, the DREAM Act is a tangible and possible solution that can help undocumented immigrant youth and their families.
This Tuesday, NYSYLC members, community leaders, students, and allies will carry out a 24-hour vigil at the doorstep of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez’s office to demand her support for the DREAM Act immediately and to show how many youth she is letting down with her inaction. The clock is ticking, the Dream Act needs to pass now, Rep. Velazquez we are waiting on you.
***If you will not be able to attend the vigil you can still let her office know that you are supporting the DREAM Act by filling out this petition http://bit.ly/dgjyix ***
Who: New York State Youth Leadership Council members, allies, university and high school students, and supporters
What: 24-hour Vigil outside the office of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
When: Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Press Conference will begin at 11am. Vigil starts at 12 pm.
Where: Rep. Nydia Velazquez’s Lower East Side Office
173 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 MAP: http://bit.ly/b9DCaD
Why: Enough is Enough. We need the Dream Act Now and it is intolerable that our Congresswoman
and Chair of the Hispanic Caucus does not come out in full support of the Dream Act.
