NY DREAM Week of Action! August 9th-12th
IMPORTANT UPDATE ~ Vigil Tonight (Wednesday) has been moved to Velazquez' Lower East Side office:
173 Avenue B, New York, NY
On August 9th, immigrant students, supporters and community members will start 4 days of intense action to demand Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Sen. Chuck Schumer to lead efforts for the immediate passage of the DREAM Act.
After several legislative visits and requests, Rep. Velazquez remains the only NYC representative who has not co-sponsored the DREAM Act, a bill that will grant immigrant youth a path to citizenship contingent on continuous presence in the country, good behavior, and the attainment of at least a two-year university degree or a two-year commitment in the military.
In the past few days, Sen. Schumer introduced and successfully passed with GOP support a border enforcement-only bill. However, there has been no action or effort from the Democratic leadership to pass a legalization benefit for our immigrant communities. The DREAM Act is a bill that has bipartisan support and has the potential to be passed as a stand-alone measure, yet Sen. Schumer has not taken any action.
During these actions, students, parents, teachers and other community members will join to demand Rep. Velazquez and Sen. Schumer to support education for immigrant youth and immediate action for the passage of the DREAM Act. The 4-day program is as follows:
Monday, August 9th
CALL IN DAY
Call Nydia Velazquez and say "Hi my name is ----. My parents came to this country to provide a better future for me. The Dream Act is the only path i have to realize my family's dreams. So I am calling to ask Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez to take leadership and pass the Dream Act as a stand alone measure now!"
DC office: (202) 225-2361
Brooklyn Office: (718) 599-3658
Lower East Side Office: (212) 673-3997
Tuesday, August 10th
COMMUNITY GATHERING for the DREAM Act
@ Tompkins Park at 5pm
Near the corner of Avenue B and East 8th Street.
Come, meet community leaders and members to find out what is the Dream Act and what it means for undocumented students who want to continue their education and fulfill their dreams.
There will be live music and appetizers.
Wednesday, August 11th
Velazquez Stop killing our DREAMs! March
FROM 173 Avenue B New York, NY 10009
TO 266 Broadway, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Meeting at 2:30pm on avenue B
Vigil from 4pm (estimated time of arrival)
contact martin@nysylc.org for more information
All day Vigil for the Dream Act
Starting at 4pm on 266 Broadway, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Come and let Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez to stop killing the Dreams of immigrant students who want to give their full potential to realize their parents and families dreams.
contact martin@nysylc.org for more information
Thursday, August 12th
March to Schumer's office for the Dream Act
Starting at 10am
FROM: 266 Broadway, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11211
TO: Senator Shumer office located on
757 Third Avenue from when we get there till 5pm.
Enough is Enough, We want our representatives to stop killing our dreams. We want Schumer to invest on education and not on criminalizing immigrants.
contact martin@nysylc.org for more information
IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED: VIGIL @ SCHUMER’S OFFICE TODAY IN SOLIDARITY WITH 21 DREAMERS ARRESTED
Yesterday, July 20th, more than 400 youth congregated in Washington DC to demand Congressional members to pass the DREAM Act in a symbolic DREAM Graduation Ceremony, followed by a march around the streets of the nation’s capital. While these actions were taking place, over twenty undocumented students held simultaneous sit-ins at the offices of Senator
Menendez, Senate Majority Leader Reid, Senator Feinstein, Senator McCain and Senator Schumer.
After holding these sit-ins, the arrests of these students started at 4pm and ended around 7.30pm; surprisingly, the students in Sen. Reid’s office were arrested before those in McCain’s office. One of the arrested students is our very own Sonia Guinansaca, a Hunter College student, artist and community organizer. She carried out the sit-in at Senator Schumer’s office demanding he takes leadership and moves the DREAM Act as a stand-alone measure.
* VIGIL @ SENATOR SCHUMER'S OFFICE ALL DAY TODAY, 1pm press conference *
What: Vigil in solidarity with Sonia G., an NYSYLC leader, and the 21 brave dreamers who were arrested to demand immediate action by Sen. Schumer to move the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill
When: ALL DAY TODAY July 21st, 2010. Press conference at 1pm
Where: Outside Sen. Schumer’s NY office at 757 Third Ave (at 47th St), New York, NY
Who:YLC members, high school and college students, community members and supporters
Why: Because immigrant students cannot wait any longer. We are Undocumented and Unafraid, and we want the DREAM Act now!
Media contact: Daniela at daniela@nysylc.org or more info, Jennifer at jennifer@nysylc.org or 347-581-7337
* TAKE ACTION NOW! *
CALL SENATOR SCHUMER NOW! TELL HIM YOU SUPPORT THE 21 DREAMERS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AND URGE HIM TO MOVE ON THE DREAM ACT AS A STAND ALONE BILL, THE FUTURES OD THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ON THE LINE!
DC OFFICE: 202- 224-6542
NY OFFICE: 212-486-4430
DREAM Mobilization in D.C. on July 20th! ~ Ride with the YLC!
***If you would like to come on the bus with the YLC please fill out the form HERE ***
The time to mobilize and demand the DREAM Act is now! We have a short window of opportunity to pass the DREAM Act in Congress. Over the course of the last two years we have been successful in building up our collective base and now more than ever, we need to show our collective power as immigrant youth. We have walked 250 miles to Washington DC to share our stories and we have starved outside of Senator Schumer's office to get his support.
All of this work, all of the petition signatures you gathered and sent in are now bearing fruit. All of the rallies you attended, all of the lobby visits and relationships you built are now critical for passage of the Dream Act. Make your work count now! Come to Washington D.C. with the YLC on the 20th for a day of escalation and action on Capitol Hill.
The round trip bus ticket is $20.
Optional: If you wish to stay overnight, housing is being arranged for people that wish to do so.
***If you would like to come on the bus with the YLC please fill out the form HERE ***
Open Letter on the Thursday, June 10, 2010 Actions of the New York State Youth Leadership Council
This past Thursday, the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) held a series of coordinated actions, which targeted Senator Charles Schumer (D - NY) for his inaction on the passage of the DREAM Act. The request of the group was simple: respond to the voices of immigrant youth who would highlight the benefits of the DREAM Act and most importantly, move forward immediately with the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill.
We have been working on behalf of the passage of the DREAM Act for many years; we have written letters, made phone calls, met with staff, built coalitions, walked over 250 miles to Washington, DC, and, over the last 10 days, starved. This struggle began when most of us were in high school and learned a truth that would jeopardize our future. Through no fault of our own, we found ourselves in a country we've come to know as our own but doesn't recognize our presence. As college graduates, we've accomplished many of our dreams and those of our parents, but still not considered worthy enough to contribute to our adopted country. We believed in the American dream that if one works and studies hard, and contributes positively to society, that society would come to not only accept us, but would embrace us.
We understand that the trauma and struggles endured by our immigrant communities goes far beyond what the DREAM Act would fix. We understand this because we live it. We live separated from loved ones, watch our parents work hard in poor, unsafe conditions for low wages, and fear the apprehension and deportation of our families daily. So if and when there is a proposal for reform of the immigration system that would address all of the issues that we, our families and our communities face, the New York State Youth Leadership Council would fully be in support and let it be known that we would be present then as we are now. Yet absent this real possibility, immigrant communities are united on this point: We all want the DREAM Act and we want it now! Parents came to this country to provide for their families and to offer their children opportunities. Therefore, the priority of every immigrant family is the future of their children. We do not personally know of any parent that wants the DREAM Act, and the dreams of their children, to be held back for the slim chance of a comprehensive immigration reform package sometime in the future. Our parents and our communities value their children and young people and want us now more than ever to have a chance to pursue our dreams. Our legislators and leaders of national organizations would do well to do the same.
This is the year for the DREAM Act. Enough immigrant youth have been denied their dreams. Many of us have been separated from our families and are at risk for deportation. Some of our peers have returned to lands they no longer remember. Some of us risk possible death or torture due to our religious and political beliefs, sexual orientation, or civil strife in our countries of birth. All of us seek the opportunity to contribute to this country and the people we have come to love. Failure is inconceivable. Waiting is unjust. No more youth should suffer while politicians and special interest groups play with our futures for another ten years. The members of the NYSYLC know full well what it takes to pass the DREAM Act now. We are escalating our actions of peaceful resistance to show that our lives in their current state are unbearable and to force this reality upon those who represent us and have the power to reform the systems that affect our lives and our futures.
Ten members of the NYSYLC held a hunger strike outside of Senator Schumer’s office from June 1st to June 10th of 2010. During this time, Senator Schumer did not acknowledge the immigrant youth starving at his doorstep nor did Senator Schumer’s staff formally meet with the youth, not even once. Meanwhile, Senator Schumer, his top aides, and leaders of the Reform Immigration for America (RI4A) campaign, did find time to conduct a meeting regarding the DREAM Act and other immigration reform proposals on June 9th. While students were starving to have their voices heard, the meeting attendees did not consider to include even a single youth voice at the table. This is unacceptable and reprehensible. Immigration advocates should know better than use the struggle of immigrant youth to move forward their own agenda, and should assure that young voices are always included in this ongoing conversation. The job of our advocates is not to speak for us, but to bring our voices into the conversation.
On June 10th, we held simultaneous actions, which consisted of sit-ins at Senator Schumer's offices in Washington, DC and Melville, Long Island, and a rally and press conference at the New York City office. In Long Island, the students were arrested for refusing to leave without any concrete agreements from Senator Schumer. In New York City, the youth were not allowed to enter the building in order to meet with staff, as they had requested, and therefore held a die-in on the sidewalk, surrounded by New York police officers and anti-terrorism squad. In Washington, DC, the students sat in for five hours, during which time they were informed by Senator Schumer and his top immigration aide, Leon Fresco, that the Senator would not publicly support the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill until the students themselves secure all 60 votes needed for passage, without any assistance from the Senator. In perhaps the most controversial part of the conversation, the students were personally told by Senator Schumer, that he would not work to gain support for the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill because the leaders of RI4A had asked him not to, and that the students were not included in the meeting that had taken place the previous day because RI4A refused to have them at the table. We cannot be certain whether Senator Schumer is accurately portraying the sentiment of the leaders of RI4A or if it was dishonest attempt to divide our movement. In the interest of transparency, we have made public the information we had received to hold Senator Schumer and the RI4A leadership accountable to the immigrant communities they represent. We are also aware of statements that have been made after the fact by all the parties involved. However, we find it unacceptable that anger has been directed at us simply for disclosing the information we received, and we encourage those organizations who have made statements in this vein to reconsider their position and speak strongly in support of the Dream Act as a standalone bill, as well as ask Senator Schumer to be honest and forthright with immigrant communities.
The following are our asks moving forward:
RI4A, if Senator Schumer had misunderstood or misstated your position, please clarify publicly. If no specific request was made to include youth regarding the DREAM Act and this was simply an oversight, please arrange for us to be included in meetings involving Senator Schumer, Senator Durbin, and Senator Reid. We do not believe that this is an unreasonable request given that this matter affects our lives.
Senator Schumer, if what you share with us is not accurate, or if we misunderstood, please explain to your constituents why you are holding the DREAM Act hostage, or, preferably when and how you will move the DREAM Act forward. And as a point of respect to the young activists that were starving on your doorstep, please explain why you turned a blind eye and deaf ear rather than meet with them even for a minute to hear what they wanted to share with you and why they were willing to put their well-being on the line for that opportunity.
Sincerely,
The New York State Youth Leadership Council
From Gandhi to Chavez to Dreamers
Hunger striking for centuries has been a means to raise awareness about an injustice. Typically done at the doorstep of the offender, hunger striking has been used to shame the offender, get justice for a wrong, or communicate a message in a non-violent way. Today, immigrant youth in New York are hunger strike with all three purposes. A group of 12 young people are at the doorstep of Senator Schumer's office starving for their dreams and the dreams of thousands of undocumented youth. Today, day 8 of the hunger strike starts for the Starved4Dream strikers. Day 8.... day 8. Can you imagine going 8 days without ingesting any meals?
This is what Congress' inaction and a wide-known yet ignored reality have brought us to. Having a group of 12 youth starving for more than 8 days because the voices of undocumented youth have remained unheard. A reality that has kept thousands of undocumented young immigrants in the darkness, where no hope, plans or future can be made. A darkness that is unexpected because we, as American children, grew up believing that this country, our country, was the place of opportunities where all dreams could come true as long as you work hard. And that is what dreamers do. We work hard, give our best effort at school, graduate top of our class, are active members of our communities, have aspirations and dreams; yet the broken immigration law system and politicians' games keep deferring our lives as if they were bargaining chips.
Oppressed groups in history had to face the same reality. In 1930's, Mohandas Gandhi carried out several hunger strikes to improve the lives of the untouchables, end inter-religious violence and stop the British rule on India. In 1968 Cesar Chavez, the United Farm Workers Union founder, began a 25-day fast to draw attention to issues migrant workers faced, such as their fight for a decent wage and better labor conditions. Today, undocumented youth are hunger striking to demand Congress to take action and bring undocumented youth out of the shadows, where the obsolete immigration laws have kept them. Dreamers feel, act, think and are Americans; we need the laws - the DREAM Act - to realize our dreams, use our full potential and contribute to our country.
We are reliving history. In the 21st century, undocumented youth are fighting tirelessly for an opportunity to achieve their dreams. From Gandhi to Cesar Chavez to dreamers, this is the building of a new movement. This is the civil rights movement of our era. Pay attention Schumer! Just re-read your history textbooks and see what happened with Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. Hope you get the hint!
Hasta la victoria!
TODAY!!!: 70th Hour for the 70,000 Dreams Deferred!: VIGIL at STARVED 4 DREAM HUNGER STRIKE
70th Hour for the 70,000 Dreams Deferred!: VIGIL at STARVED 4 DREAM HUNGER STRIKE
Every year 70,000 undocumented students graduate each year from high school with little hopes of pursuing their dreams. On June 5th, 2010, on Day 4 of the Hunger Strike, the 10 hunger strikers, their families and community members will mark the 70thhour of their hunger strike in honor of the dreams that have been deferred.
The vigil will consists of a prayer ceremony, personal story sharing and a demand that Senator Schumer move the Dream Act forward as a stand alone bill.
As the Chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, Schumer has the power to move the dream act forward now but he chooses not too. He chooses to keep our dreams hostage and our time is running out! It’s been about 10 years fighting for this bill and we can’t wait anymore, our dreams can’t wait anymore.
Come and Join STARVED 4 DREAM as we say Schumer, MOVE the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill NOW!
When: THIS Friday, June 4th at 7pm - RAIN or SHINE
Where: In front of Schumer's office located on 757 Third Ave New York, NY 10017
Please bring flashlights or electric candles (not real candles). Invite your friends, family members and neighbors to join the strikers of starved4dream. Our families are the ones that are there for us, that support us in what we do. Their dreams have become ours, It’s because of those dreams that we’re in this country today.
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Help the strikers everyday by calling Senator Schumer’s office at 212-486-4430 and say you want him to move the DREAM Act forward as a stand-alone bill.
You can also donate the following items: pedialite, bottles of water, sleeping bags, baby wipes, sunscreen, and yoga mats. Bring the items to the hunger strike site directly: 757 Third Ave New York, NY 10017. Call us at 347-755-3303 or emailKiran@nysylc.org
Day 3: Hunger Strike, vigil planned 2morrow at 7pm
Its now Day 3 of the Hunger Strike and the effects of not eating for more than 48 hours has begun to take effect. The Strikers are more tired and perpetually hungry. Its also terrible to have to smell food and watch people eat in the busy NYC streets. But the strikers refuse to move until Senator Schumer moves the Dream Act as a stand alone bill.
_more updates to come!!_
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Immigrant Youth initiate Hunger Strike! 6/1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 28th 2010
IMMIGRANT YOUTH INITIATE HUNGER STRIKE!
Challenge Senator Schumer to be a leader on the Dream Act
New York, NY. On Tuesday, June 1st, a group of immigrant youth from the New York State Youth Leadership Council will begin a hunger strike in front of Senator Charles Schumer’s New York City Office. This action was postponed last week after a verbal commitment was made by the office of Senator Schumer to provide a response regarding the possibility of a Congressional Hearing for the Dream Act by Thursday afternoon. As further proof of the continual Congressional inaction and broken promises on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), Senator Schumer’s office failed to provide a response and show its commitment to immigrant youth and their futures. The youth are urging Senator Schumer to move the DREAM Act forward in the Senate as a standalone bill.
The DREAM Act would allow immigrant youth who meet certain criteria, including coming to the US as children, graduating from high school, and completing two years of college or military service, to be on a path to citizenship. While Senator Schumer has co-sponsored the Act, he has been notably absent in the fight to move it forward and pass it this year, despite many efforts on the part of immigrant youth to urge him to do so. Due to his position as Chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, Senator Schumer has a huge role to play in the passage of any immigration legislation, including the DREAM Act, and his inaction is devastating to the prospects of passage of the DREAM Act this year.
This action comes on the heels of the detention of three undocumented students who staged a sit-in at Senator John McCain’s office in Arizona in support of the DREAM Act, and other acts of peaceful resistance and sit ins across the country by DREAM Act eligible youth who tired of broken promises and false hopes.
Press Conference+Rally
When: Tuesday, June 1st, 10AM EST
Who: Immigrant Youth from NYSYLC, La Union, Eye Openers SI, WALK, high school students and college students from CUNY, NYU, Columbia University, will begin hunger strike.
Where: Outside of Senator Schumer’s NYC Office
757 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Between 48th and 47th on 3rd Ave
For more info: Office: 212-627-2227 ext 248
Life Is Like A Road Trip
My name is Dashka, I’m from Haiti and I’m an immigrant in America. I grew up in a small country located in the west hemisphere. The weather is warm and the beaches are paradise. I never imagined for one second that I would have to leave the place I call home. People would visit Haiti and describe America as the most magnificent place on earth. I always wanted to go and visit as well. My family members said they were going to immigrate to America and never return home. My hypothesis was that one-day that I would find myself in their shoes. My mom said they had to settle there because there were more opportunities.
In 2005, I came to America and I now live in New York City. I was very emotional about leaving my country. When I first came to New York, I attended a school where most of the students were Native Americans. The school had few immigrant students but I was one of the immigrant students who did not know a word of English. They placed me in a class where I was the only immigrant and the rest of my classmates were English speakers. One challenge was speaking English. I was intimidated by my class. Every time I would try to speak but then I’d stop because they would laugh at me. I hold all this pain inside and I would walk home crying and wipe my tears before I got home. Tearing up was not the solution of my problems. It make worst because they knew i was hurting by their slur and actions toward me. In the past year, I learn that people can be ignorant about what they say and how they act when it comes to something fragile to someone else. The world i am living in is so small and yet full with discrimination. People usually tell me fight for what you want because you can get anywhere without fighting. I might not be undocumented but there are many people, we know and love that are facing this unfairness in their every day in life. These people who used to laugh at me give me the motive to push myself and succeed through the process. I support the dream act because i believe that everyone should have equal education. This bill will give more undocumented youth to attend school because they will know that their dreams are not gonna cut short. Instead it will encourage them to attend school.
In life you should be like these undocumented immigrants, who stand up and fight for what they believe in. If the Dream Act bill doesn’t pass many talented immigrant students won't be able to show these talented in it will be the government just because they did not pass the bill. This bill should not be existed at the first place because one piece of paper should not identified an human being. My plan is to go to college and getting a degree in journalism. Sometimes i feel bothered to see that my classmates and friends won’t be able to take that journey with me just because they’re undocumented. In life you will always find an obstacle but that does not mean that you should give up on your dream.