Thread: Ky: groups rally for reform

Posted on Sun, Apr. 08, 2007
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NATIONAL DEBATE
Groups rally for immigration reform
TUESDAY MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF 'NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION'
By Sarah Vos
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
A year ago, thousands rallied in downtown Lexington and millions gathered in other communities across the country calling for immigration reform.

But the U.S. Congress didn't act. This Tuesday, on the anniversary of the first National Day of Action, as last April 10 was called, those who want immigration reform are again gathering and calling on lawmakers to move forward.

"We are hoping to get a realistic, humane, fair immigration reform," said Freddy Peralta, president of the Kentucky Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which is putting together events across the state, including one in Lexington.

The idea this year isn't for marches, but celebrations, community meetings, prayer gatherings and educational sessions, Peralta said.

The national movement is being organized by several groups, including The Fair Immigration Reform Movement, a Washington D.C.-based group. WHY WOULD FAIR BE INVOLVED IN THIS? IS THIS A CON?
The groups want to persuade Congress to take up the STRIVE Act (Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy), said Germonique Jones, communications director for Fair Immigration Reform. The legislation, which was proposed by Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., and Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., calls for increased border security and provides a way for undocumented workers to become citizens.

"It's not all that we want," Jones said. "But this is that bill that will begin some momentum to begin comprehensive immigration reform."

In addition to Tuesday's events, Peralta and other members of the Kentucky group plan to meet with Kentucky's congressional leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Peralta hopes to convince leaders like McConnell that immigration reform that allows undocumented workers to become citizens is needed.

"The immigrants who are here are part of a broken system," said Peralta, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic 20 years ago. "They have been accused of being criminals. The country needs to move in a direction where we are not punishing them."

Marisol Valles-Ali, who organized the Frankfort event, hopes that more than just Latinos will come to the meeting to learn more about immigration reform. There are other immigrant groups who would benefit from reform, she said.

"It's to make them understand the importance of getting involved," she said.

IF YOU GO


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April 10 rallies for immigration reform
Danville: 3 p.m., community meeting at Guadalajara Restaurant (near Wal-Mart).

Lexington: 6 p.m., community celebration at Bandoleros Night Club in Woodhill Plaza.

Frankfort: 6:30 p.m., community meeting at Good Shepherd Parish Center, 310 Wapping Street.

More information: www.kcirr.org




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Reach Sarah Vos at (859) 231-3309 or 1-800-950-6397, Ext. 3309, or svos@ herald-leader.com.

----------http://www.kentucky.com/211/story/37177.html----------------------------------------------------------------------

moosetracks wrote:

The national movement is being organized by several groups, including The Fair Immigration Reform Movement, a Washington D.C.-based group. WHY WOULD FAIR BE INVOLVED IN THIS? IS THIS A CON?

This is probably not the FAIR they're talking about:

http://www.fairus(dot)org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_aboutlist1ce5

I believe this is the correct FAIR being discussed in the article:

http://fairimmigration(dot)org/

Ones called The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the other is FAIR IMMIGRATION REFORM MOVEMENT.

Sort of confusing, isn't it?

Yeah, this is FIRM (Fair Immigration Reform Movement) not FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform).

They're must be trying to confuse the issue.

I just went to their message board, posted my opinion...and they deleted it! http://forums.kentucky.com/kr-kentgennews/messages

I just posted another asking why they deleted my msg....under name "petsrule"

Originally Posted by had_enuf

Yeah, this is FIRM (Fair Immigration Reform Movement) not FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform).

They're must be trying to confuse the issue.

Thanks, I remembered that after I posted....

Originally Posted by had_enuf

Yeah, this is FIRM (Fair Immigration Reform Movement) not FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform).

They're must be trying to confuse the issue.

I think thats exactly what their trying to do had_enuf!! I think someone from Fair should be upset about this.