People's Hearing

Even along the border, residents have rights. Civil rights, human rights, and rights to safety and security. But The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Border Patrol continues to act with unaccountable disregard for basic human and civil rights standards.

Now, communities are getting organized.

OneAmerica's Northern Border Project is convening a People's Hearing in Lynden, Washington, on February 1, 2012, to provide a space for community members to come togather and share stories and challenges about living in a border community. We have invited a respected panel of community leaders to bear witness to these stories. This panel will issue a statement about conditions in the area and collaboration between Border Patrol and local law enforcement.

WHAT:  People's Hearing: Share Your Story, Take Action

WHEN:  5:30-8:00pm, February 1

WHERE:  People's Place at the Fairgrounds, 1775 Front Street, Lynden, WA

The goal of the hearing is to provide a space for community members to gather and tell their stories of living within 100 miles of the US-Canadian Border. For over a year, the Northern Border Project has worked with community volunteers and several local organizations to educate people within the region on their human and legal rights, and document stories where residents believe their rights have been violated.

PROGRAM:
5:30 - Registration, sign in for sharing testimony
5:45 - Welcome prayer and song
5:50 - Community panel introduction:

• Daisy Valladares, Washington State Migrant Council Lynden
• Rose Vogel, Womencare Shelter
• Damani Johnson, Professor Political Science Western Washington University, Board of Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce
• James Jackson, Lummi Nation
• Judy Ziels, Assumption Catholic Church and Community Benefit Committee, PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
• Sonía Garza and/or Ricardo Sanchez, Sea Mar Bellingham
• Gandhi Wich, Islamic Society of Whatcom County

6:00 - Community Testimony and open mic
7:00 - Panel Response and Reflection
7:30 - Conclusion and Next Steps

Please contact OneAmerica Lead Organizer Kendra Anderson at kendra@weareoneamerica.org with questions.