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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@cwsglobal.org | 202-750-0960 SANCTUARY MOVEMENT LAUNCHES #SACREDRESISTANCE, CALLING ON CONGREGATIONS TO OPEN THEIR DOORS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE AT RISK DURING TRUMP’S SHAMEFUL RAIDS Washington, D.C. - Massive raids targeting immigrant families throughout the country are planned for this weekend according to press reports. Houses of worship and religious leaders across the nation are responding to these threats to families and continued attempts to strike fear in the hearts of our immigrant neighbors. The National Sanctuary Movement, a network of local Sanctuary Coalitions and congregations, reaffirms its commitment to stand by undocumented immigrants and their families and offer sanctuary to those in need. We are launching the #SacredResistance Map - a tool immigrants and allies can use to find congregations in their area that are willing to open their doors in times of crisis. “As ICE reportedly prepares for massive country-wide raids, faith communities are standing up and taking action. These types of actions violate our religious beliefs and values. We are opening up our arms and our doors to immigrants, creating safe spaces where families can gather, unite, find services and legal support,” said Rev. Noel Andersen of Church World Service. “With over 1,000 congregations that make up this movement,we pledge to resist these raids and continue to offer Sanctuary to our undocumented siblings.” Congregations and coalitions that are on the map are ready to open their doors for immigrants in need of safety or to organizers who want to have a central place to respond to raids. Those wishing to sign up to be part of this effort can do so by visiting bit.ly/SacredResistance. “ICE arrests and raids and even the threat of them, terrorize families and entire communities, separates families and creates irreparable harm. This must stop. We condemn the use of terror, arrests and imprisonment as a way to answer the complexity of why people have to leave their homes and migrate. The dignity of human beings should be at the heart of our immigration policy. We are a network of faith communities, sanctuary congregations and those willing to be places of community support for families feeling fear. We are calling on faith communities to join us and a national movement of #SacredResistance to these raids.” said the Rev. Debbie Lee, Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity in CA. Rev. Isaac Villegas, pastor of Chapel Hill Mennonite Fellowship in NC said: “God’s love is an invitation to live in solidarity with people in our communities who are being terrorized by ICE. When the government tries to tear apart our communities, it’s time for people of faith to show that nothing will stop us from loving our neighbors—not even unjust laws and oppressive politics.” Find the #SacredResistance Map at bit.ly/SacredResistance Learn more about the National Sanctuary movement at www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org ###
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 7th, 2017
Contact: Myrna Orozco | 202.599.3585 | morozco@cwsglobal.org SANCTUARY MOVEMENT READY TO PROVIDE REFUGE AFTER TPS ENDS As news of the administrations end to TPS for Nicaraguans houses of worship are ready to provide welcome. Washington, DC - As news that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be ending for individuals from Nicaragua, and the status of other nationals like Hondurans and Haitians could be taken away very soon, the Sanctuary Movement reaffirms its commitment to welcome those seeking refuge from the administrations mass deportation agenda. Leaders in the Sanctuary Movement issued the following statements. Rev. Noel Andersen, National Grassroots Coordinator with Church World Service said, “Thousands of people, whom we once welcomed into safety, are now at risk of being separated from their families, and potentially sent back to life-threatening situations in their home countries. Many of these people have started families, businesses, and have become part of our communities and congregations thinking they would be protected under TPS. As a country we welcomed these people and now we are turning our backs on them. This administration is trying to create a new population of undocumented people they can deport by ending TPS and we will not stand for it. The Sanctuary Movement is ready to open it doors and welcome those who seek safety and refuge.” Sarah John from the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America, which is currently leading the efforts to stop the deportation of a Honduran national who has taken Sanctuary in St. Louis, added, “We’ve been accompanying the people of Latin America for 35 years. We’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impacts of US foreign policy and military intervention in Nicaragua and Honduras on communities of color and people living in poverty. Those of us in the US have a moral obligation to ensure that our government honors not only our dignity but the dignity of all. Ending TPS threatens the wellbeing of thousands of our neighbors. Our community will continue to prepare to offer radical hospitality to those in need, and advocate aggressively for Congress to do their job and pass legislation that honors our shared values.” Rev. Alison Harrington of Southside Presbyterian Church concluded: “The administration's decision to put the lives of 2,500 Nicaraguans at risk is unacceptable. To also, add anxiety and fear into the lives of thousands of Hondurans and Haitians by putting them in limbo is immoral. We opened our doors to provide safety to these individuals and turning our back on them now is not who we are. As people of faith we will take a stand and let people know that the Sanctuary Movement is ready to do what the administration won’t: provide safety and refuge to our siblings in need.” Learn more about the National Sanctuary movement at www.sanctuarynotdeportation.org ### |
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