Announcing: Actions and Events in March for YLC
DOWNLOAD FULL SIZE POSTER HERE
*****RALLY MOVED TO FRIDAY MARCH 19th******
Coming out of the Shadows Week: How to Guide
crossposted at DreamActivist.org
Undocumented youth all over this country will finally come out the shadows and lay claim to their own futures. No longer will we let ourselves be intimidated, scared and ashamed. We have worked long and hard, we have risen to meet every challenge and we have made this country a better place for all. And yet, we are relegated to live in fear. So let us come out and end this fear.
Below find a Coming Out Guide in preparation for Coming Out Day (March 10th) and Coming Out Week (March 15-21)
Coming out of the Shadows – A How To Guide
Difficulty:
Easy to Medium to Very Difficult
Time:
10 minutes-2 hours
“Brothers and Sisters, you must come out! come out to your parents, come out to your friends, if indeed they are your friends, come out to your neighbors, come out to your fellow workers. Once and for all, let’s break down the myth and destroy the lies and distortions. For your sake, for their sake. For the sake of all the youngsters who’ve been scared by the votes from Dade to Eugene. On the Statue of Liberty it says ‘ Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.’ In the Declaration of Independence it is written, ‘All men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights.’ For Mr. Briggs and Mrs. Bryant and all the bigots out there, no matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words from the Declaration of Independence! No matter how hard you try you can never chip those words from the base of the Statue of Liberty! That is where America is!”
-Harvey Milk
Congratulations! You have decided to come out of the shadows about your undocumented status. Perhaps you have finally decided to tell your friends why you haven’t signed up for your drivers’ ed. class or why you still don’t drive to school. Maybe, you will come out to your guidance counselor, who has asked you repeatedly to turn in your college application, but you were too afraid to tell him/her that you don’t have a social security number and that you still don’t know how you will pay for college without financial aid.
Please remember you are not alone. You are part of a large community of courageous undocumented youth who have decided to come out of the shadows about our immigration status. We live every day in fear and we are tired of it. We want to be able to talk about our lives and our stories without fearing persecution or deportation. We are not free to travel, go to school, work, live, but we refuse to be helpless. In the same way the LGBTQ community has historically come out, undocumented youth, some of whom are also part of the LGBTQ community, have decided to speak openly about their status. Your courage will open the way to having even more conversations about your immigration status. Sharing your stories will allow us, as a movement of undocumented youth, to grow, as we continue to learn to accept ourselves. By being more open we will begin replacing fear with courage and, ultimately, be united in our demands for change. You will be surprised how little other people know about the realities of being undocumented. People who know someone who is gay or lesbian are more likely to support equal rights for all gay and lesbian people- the same follows for people who know someone who is undocumented. Also note, if you must also confront intersecting oppressions (i.e. Gender, Race, Class, Sexual orientation), coming out about your status is one of the many hurdles for liberation.
National Coming Out Day
March 10th is National Coming Out Day. In Chicago, the Immigrant Youth Justice League will be holding a rally and a march to launch a week-long “coming out” of undocumented youth across the country. In other cities and towns, students are coming out to their friends on a much smaller scale. Whether big or small, consider participating in the National Coming Out Day and weeks by coming out!
Before you get started:
If you are nervous about coming out:
- Practice, Practice, Practice!: In front of a mirror or with someone with whom you’ve already come out to
- Breathe: Breathing is a good thing. When we are nervous, we tend to withhold our breath or breathe heavily. Take a break and be conscious of your breathing. Breathe in and out until you can hear your heart beat normally. This is good for centering yourself and your thoughts.
- Protect Yourself
- Use only your first name, a nickname or your middle name
- Limit the amount of identifying information in your story of self. For example, instead of saying “I live on Elm Street” you say “I live in St. Paul, MN.”
- Write your story and have a friend or family member read it.
- Know Your Rights
Include Know Your Rights Info here.
How to Participate in the Coming Out Week:
Your Commitment:
Look at the list below and determine your level of participation. Every bit helps moves us closer to passing the DREAM Act!
Coming out is a very important and empowering time in a persons life. By coming out of the shadows you’re finally shedding some light on this issue that has been affecting others for years. Remember that there’s other youth out there, like yourself, that are too scared to come out. By taking the first step many more will find the courage they need to speak out as well!
DOWNLOAD GUIDE HERE: Complete-Guide
Day 2: CALL IN DAY!!!!
The week just started and i'm glad to see that everyone changed their defaults and status! Are you ready for today?
Tuesday is Call In Day. Please call each of Schumer's Offices and repeat the following paragraph:
Say: My name is ____ I am calling because I support the DREAM Act. The dreams of immigrant students cannot wait any longer. Senator Schumer needs to be a leader and produce the change that Americans voted for. No more extensions or excuses. The DREAM Act has to be passed!
(If you don’t get through to one office try the next one until you can leave a message)
call in numbers:
DC office: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;202.224.6542
New York City: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;212.486.4430
Albany: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;518.431.4070
Binghamton: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;607.772.6792
Buffalo: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;716.846.4111
Hudson Valley: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;914.734.1532
Long Island: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;631.753.0978
Rochester: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;585.263.5866
Syracuse: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;315.423.5471
I HOPE TO SEE A LOT OF PICTURES!!

________________________TRANSLATED________________________
La semana apenas empieza y estoy muy alegre al ver que todos cambiaron sus fotos y sus estados en facebook! Estan listos para manana?
El martes es el Dia de las Llamadas . Por favor llame a cada una de las oficinas de Schumer y repita lo siguiente :
Mi nombre es _______ Estoy llamando porque yo apoyo la ley del SUENO. Los sueños de los estudiantes inmigrantes no puede esperar más. El senador Schumer debe tomar el liderasgo y cumplir el cambio por el cual los Estadounidenses votaron. No mas extensiones ni excusas. La Ley del SUENO tiene que ser aprovada en el 2010."
( Si su llamada no es contestada en una de las oficinas, trate de llamar a otra hasta que puede dejar el mensaje)
Por Favor llame a estos numeros:
oficina en DC: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;202.224.6542
New York City: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;212.486.4430
Albany: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;518.431.4070
Binghamton: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;607.772.6792
Buffalo: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;716.846.4111
Hudson Valley: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;914.734.1532
Long Island: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;631.753.0978
Rochester: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;585.263.5866
Syracuse: http://www.facebook.com/l/0cb05;315.423.5471
ESPERO VER MUCHAS FOTOS!!
--------------------
READY FOR OUR WEEK OF ACTION!? DAY 1: ONLINE SUPPORT DAY
READY FOR OUT WEEK OF ACTION!?
THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE WEEK OF ACTION WE WANT EVERYONE TO POST PICTURES, ON THIS EVENT SITE, OF THEMSELVES PARTICIPATING IN THIS EVENT!
As you all know starting today, Monday February 22nd through Friday February 26th we're having a week of action to raise awareness for the Dream Act.
These are small actions so that everyone across the country can participate and show support. We also want pictures to show others that there's a lot of people willing to fight for the Dream Act.
TODAY IS DAY 1:
Online Support Day and we're asking everyone to change their default picture to a Dream Act button and their status to the following message:
"We're tired of waiting! Everyone has the right to an education. Pass the Dream Act in 2010!"
Be a Fundraising Super Star! Sign Up to Fundraising 4 a Dream Training!
Do you want support the work of immigrant youth in a fun way!
Are you shy about asking for funding and/or don't know how?
Would you like to be a fundraising star?
Then, come to the YLC's Fundraising 4 a Dream Training!
WHAT: Learn how organize fundraising parties, collect donations and be a confident fundraiser in support of work by and for immigrant youth!
WHEN: FEBRUARY 27TH, 2010 at 11am to 2pm
WHERE: NYIC, 137-139 West 25th Street, 12th Floor, NY, NY 10001
REGISTER NOW: Dream Week of Action!!!
In September we urged all of you to host actions in support of the United We Dream Back to School Dream Act Week of Action and you responded with an amazing 120 actions in over 30 states. You hosted everything from movie screenings in Montana, to soccer games in caps and gowns in Kansas, a mock classroom in Florida and so much more. We hope it is with that same excitement and courage that you take on this next challenge.!
From Monday February 22nd to Friday February 26th, the United We Dream Network, will be hosting a Week of Action in support of the Dream Act and Just and Humane Immigration Reform!
The New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) has come up with some solidarity events that will be taking place during the whole week. For those who want to participate in this movement but can’t make it to the events maybe you'd like to participate in these!
PLEASE! We’re asking everyone who participates to send us pictures of themselves taking part in these actions and post them on this event website!
MONDAY- Feb 22nd
is Online Support day.
Change your status to I Support the Dream Act (or something along those lines) and change your default picture to any Dream Act related picture you’d like.
TUESDAY-Feb 23rd
is Call In day
We're aiming to get 600+ fax/calls done to Schumer's office reminding him that 65,000 students graduate with no hopes of fulfilling their dreams.
[Phone] 212-486-4430
[Fax] 212-486-7693
WEDNESDAY- Feb 24th
is Show Don't Tell day
This is a day of silence where we're going to wear a small sign saying what the Trail of Dreams is and why we support the Dream Act.
Please print out the following sign and use it to show others why you’re not speaking and to reach out to those who don’t know about the Dream or don’t support it.
_____________________________________________________________________________
On January 1, 2010 four Dreamers embarked on a 1,500-mile walk from their home in Miami, FL, to Washington, D.C they named this journey the Trail of Dreams. They’re walking to share our stories, so that everyday Americans understand what it’s like for the millions of immigrants, especially young people, unable to fully participate in society. Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. It’s time that our country come together to fix a failed system that keeps millions in the shadows with no way to speak out and with no pathway to a better life. Their journey will be long and full of hardship, but, we see no other option. We are putting our futures in jeopardy because our present is unbearable. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?" I support the Dream Act because…
_____________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY- Feb 25th
is United We Stand day
Everyone is asked to please wear BLUE which symbolizes the color of Dreams. Let the world know you have a dream and want to make it come true.
And finally, Friday’s action is a surprise, contact us to find out!
[phone] 212-627-2227 ext 248
[address] 137-139 West 25th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY
[email] angy@nysylc.org
TAKE PART IN THIS WEEK OF ACTION! AND REMEMBER TO POST YOUR PICTURES!
Help us make in state a reality in NJ!!!
We are two senators away from in-state tuition in New Jersey:
- Ask Senator Kean (Senate Minority Leader) to vote on in-state tuition for New Jersey’s children!
- Request Senator Kean brings two additional votes from the republican caucus.
**Always remain polite and courteous with the staff you speak to**
- Call the Senate Minority Office (609-292-5199) and leave a message for Senator Kean
Call-in Script:
My name is ______. I live in ______. I am a member of ________ and I support S1036 and I am urging Senator Kean to do the same. Immigrant's rights are human rights and one of those is the right to an education. This bill is budget neutral. These children deserve the opportunity to fulfill their future promise so that they can continue to contribute to our state.
Thank you.
Targets:
- Senator Sean T. Kean Republican -- (732) 974-0400
- Senator Anthony R. Bucco Republican -- (973) 627-9700
- Senator Michael J. Doherty Republican -- (908) 835-0552
CALL NOW – New Jersey State Senate is Voting on In-state Tuition This Thursday!
Bill S1036 is up for a full Senate vote on Thursday, January 7th. The bill was approved in the Appropriations Committee of both the state Assembly and the Senate on Monday, January 4th. We are very close to a victory and we need each of you to take action!
Please call your State Senator between now and Thursday morning and ask them to support bill S 1036. Below are some talking points...
- In-State Tuition is critical for immigrant youth to access higher education.
- The report recently released by the State Legislative Affairs says providing resident tuition for undocumented high school graduates will not cost the State of NJ any money.
- In-State Tuition is not a public benefit, it’s a way for immigrant youth who have been in NJ for most of their lives to pay more affordable college tuition. They will have to have attended three years of high school in NJ.
- Educating our children and young people will be beneficial for the State of NJ and everyone.
It is crucial that we get this bill on Corzine's desk before he leaves office and it is URGENT that the Senators hear from everyone in support. We cannot wait 4 more years! Its up to us to make this happen.... CALL your Senator NOW!
To find who your state Senator is and phone number please follow this link:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp
Here's a list of the state Senators:
Senator Diane B. Allen Republican
District Office: 11 West Broad St., Burlington, NJ 08016 (609) 239-2800
Senator Bill Baroni Republican
District Office: 3691A Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 (609) 631-9988
Senator Christopher Bateman Republican
District Office: 36 East Main St., Somerville, NJ 08876 (908) 526-3600
Senator James Beach Democrat
District Office: 1916 Route 70 East, Suite 3, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 (856) 489-3442
Senator Jennifer Beck Republican
District Office: 32 Monmouth St., 3rd Floor, Red Bank, NJ 07701 (732) 933-1591
Senator Anthony R. Bucco Republican
District Office: 75 Bloomfield Ave., Suite 302, 3rd Floor, Denville, NJ 07834 (973) 627-9700
Senator Barbara Buono Democrat
District Office: Two Lincoln Highway, Suite 401, Edison, NJ 08820 (732) 205-1372
Senator Gerald Cardinale Republican
District Office: 350 Madison Ave., Cresskill, NJ 07626 (201) 567-2324
Senator Andrew R. Ciesla Republican
District Office: 852 Highway 70, Brick, NJ 08724 (732) 840-9028
Senator Richard J. Codey Democrat
District Office: 449 Mount Pleasant Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052 (973) 731-6770
Senator Christopher J. Connors Republican
District Office: 620 West Lacey Rd., Forked River, NJ 08731 (609) 693-6700
Senator Sandra B. Cunningham Democrat
District Office: 1738 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305 (201) 451-5100
Senator Michael J. Doherty Republican
District Office: 127 Belvidere Ave., 2nd Floor, Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 835-0552
Senator Nia H. Gill, Esq. Democrat
District Office: 425 Bloomfield Avenue, 2nd Floor, Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 509-0388
Senator John A. Girgenti Democrat
District Office: 507 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, NJ 07506 (973) 427-1229
Senator Robert M. Gordon Democrat
District Office: 14-25 Plaza Rd., P.O. Box 398, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 (201) 703-9779
Senator Philip E. Haines Republican
District Office: 32A North Main St., Medford, NJ 08055 (609) 654-1498
Senator Sean T. Kean Republican
District Office: 1955 Highway 34, Bldg. 2A, Wall Township, NJ 07719 (732) 974-0400
Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr. Republican
District Office: 425 North Ave. East, Suite C, Westfield, NJ 07090 (908) 232-3673
District Office: 57 Union Place, Suite 310, Summit, NJ 07901 (908) 918-0414
District Office: 251 North Ave. West, 2nd Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090 (908) 232-2073
Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Jr. Republican
District Office: 1715 Highway 35, Suite 303, Middletown, NJ 07748 (732) 671-3206
Senator Raymond J. Lesniak Democrat
District Office: 985 Stuyvesant Ave., Union, NJ 07083 (908) 624-0880
Senator Fred H. Madden, Jr. Democrat
District Office: 129 Johnson Rd., Suite 1, Turnersville, NJ 08012 (856) 232-6700
District Office: 1405 Chews Landing Rd., Suite 15, Laurel Springs, NJ 08021 (856) 401-3073
Senator Kevin J. O'Toole Republican
District Office: 155 Route 46 West, Suite 108, Wayne, NJ 07470 (973) 237-1360
Senator Steven V. Oroho Republican
District Office: 115 Demarest Rd., Suite 2B, Sparta, NJ 07871 (973) 300-0200
District Office: 227 Route 206, Bldg. 1, 1st Floor, Flanders, NJ 07836 (973) 584-4670
Senator Joseph Pennacchio Republican
District Office: 330 Changebridge Road, Suite 102, Pine Brook, NJ 07058 (973) 227-4012
Senator Dana L. Redd Democrat
District Office: 1 Market St., Suite 1F, Camden, NJ 08102 (856) 225-9068
Senator Ronald L. Rice Democrat
District Office: 1044 South Orange Ave., Newark, NJ 07106 (973) 371-5665
Senator M. Teresa Ruiz Democrat
District Office: 166 Bloomfield Ave., Newark, NJ 07104 (973) 484-1000
Senator Nicholas J. Sacco Democrat
District Office: 9060 Palisade Ave., North Bergen, NJ 07047 (201) 295-0200
Senator Paul A. Sarlo Democrat
District Office: 207 Hackensack St., 2nd Floor, Wood-Ridge, NJ 07075 (201) 804-8118
Senator Nicholas P. Scutari Democrat
District Office: 1514 E. Saint Georges Ave., 2nd Floor, Linden, NJ 07036 (908) 587-0404
Senator Robert W. Singer Republican
District Office: 2110 W. County Line Rd., Jackson, NJ 08527 (732) 901-0702
Senator Bob Smith Democrat
District Office: 216 Stelton Rd., Suite E-5, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (732) 752-0770
Senator Brian P. Stack Democrat
District Office: 5801 Palisade Ave., West New York, NJ 07093 (201) 861-5091
District Office: 301 45th St., 1st Floor, Union City, NJ 07087 (201) 558-7926
Senator Stephen M. Sweeney Democrat
District Office: 935 Kings Highway, Suite 400, West Deptford, NJ 08086 (856) 251-9801
District Office: 14 East Commerce St., 3rd Floor, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (856) 455-1011
District Office: 199 East Broadway, Suite G, Salem, NJ 08079 (856) 339-0808
Senator Shirley K. Turner Democrat
District Office: 1440 Pennington Rd., Trenton, NJ 08618 (609) 530-3277
Senator Jeff Van Drew Democrat
District Office: 21 North Main St., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (609) 465-0700
District Office: 1124 North High St., Millville, NJ 08332 (856) 765-0891
District Office: 1028 East Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ 08360 (856) 696-7109
District Office: Additional Phone, Somers Point, NJ (609) 926-3779
Senator Joseph F. Vitale Democrat
District Office: 569 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732) 855-7441
Senator Loretta Weinberg Democrat
District Office: 545 Cedar Lane, Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 928-0100
Senator Jim Whelan Democrat
District Office: 511 Tilton Rd., Northfield, NJ 08225 (609) 383-1388










