http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/128821/1/3319

D.C. Rally Will Oppose 'Anti-Immigrant' Bill
American Friends Service Committee

Border groups bring Immigrant Rights battle to Washington, D.C.
San Diego Organization Joins Massive Rally on Capitol Hill to Protest Controversial Anti-Immigrant Bill

For more information, contact: Janis D. Shields, Director Media and Public Relations, (215) 241-7060 AFTER HOURS 302-545-6569

Washington, DC - March 5 -- As the debate heats up in our Nation's Capitol, organizations from across the United States make an unprecedented visit to Washington, D.C. to highlight concerns about HR 4437, a controversial anti-immigrant bill that, if approved, would criminalize immigrants, their families and organizations that advocate on their behalf - while authorizing a 700-mile border fence between México and the US.

"If passed, the HR 4437 would permit the government to prosecute almost anyone who has regular contact with an undocumented person by broadening the definition of alien smuggling to include family members, employers, and immigrant advocates," states Joyce Miller, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) assistant general secretary for justice and human rights. AFSC has regional offices in San Diego and Los Angeles. "These provisions are likely to drive undocumented immigrants further underground and increase their vulnerability to exploitation."

Tuesday, March 7

1:30 p.m. Press conference
United Methodist Building (100 Maryland Ave. NE, Conference Room 3)

4 - 6 p.m. Rally and Interfaith Service
Capitol Hill West Lawn (corners of Constitution Avenue and First)

Faith leaders call for comprehensive Immigration reform complete with a fair and just immigration policy. Other speakers include:

Kwesi Mfume, former NAACP President,
Cecilia Munoz, Vice-President, National Council of La Raza


"The provisions of HR 4437 amount to an assault on basic civil liberties," states Esther Nieves, coordinator of Project Voice, the American Friends Service Committee's immigrant rights initiative that works to strengthen efforts of immigrant-led organizations to address national policy and support human rights. "The bill ignores fundamental legal principles and the constitutional guarantee of due process."

Sponsored by the National Capital Immigration Coalition, the Border Community Alliance for Human Rights and the American Friends Service Committee. For more information, contact: Janis D. Shields, Director of Media and Public Relations, (215) 241-7060 AFTER HOURS: (302) 545-6596.

TheNational Capital Immigration Coalition consists of 45 faith, labor, business and community based organizations from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.

Internationally recognized for its humanitarian work during World Wars I and II, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is a social justice organization that, along with the British Friends Service Council, won the Nobel Peace Prize for efforts on behalf of Quakers worldwide.