For Immediate Release
Contact:
Monami Maulik, DRUM: (347) 385-9113
Manisha Vaze, Families for Freedom: (917) 748-0938 (English and Spanish)
Rafael Samanez, VAMOS Unidos: (646) 330-1951
Immigrants and Allies Hold “We Are All Arizona” March and Rally,
Demand End to Mass Detention and Deportation Programs
and Call for Full, not Temporary, Repeal of SB1070
New York, NY (July 29, 2010) –
Immigrants and their allies from New York and New Jersey will march across the Brooklyn Bridge and rally in Foley Square to call for a full repeal of SB 1070 in Arizona and similar laws nationally. Says Rafael Samanez of VAMOS Unidos, “The partial and temporary blocking of a law that should have never existed is welcome, but in no way a victory. The conditions that created SB 1070 remain and are only worsened by the half-hearted decision today." Marchers will decry the climate of racism fueling SB 1070 and 20 copycat laws in other states, will call for an end to mass deportation programs, and assert that current versions of “Comprehensive Immigration Reform” – including Senator Chuck Schumer’s – work against, not for, immigrant communities.
"We welcome the court’s decision and commend the national movement that has temporarily stopped the implementation of some sections of SB 1070,” said Minister Patricia Malcolm of Churches United to Save and Heal. “At the same time, we fear that racial profiling and targeting of immigrants will nevertheless continue in the racist climate that this law has encouraged.”
“More than ever, we are in solidarity with immigrants in Arizona and all other states contemplating copycat legislation to condemn these laws,” said Ayesha Mahmooda of DRUM-Desis Rising Up and Moving. “As South Asians and Muslims, we stand in unity with Latinos and all other immigrants because these laws target all of us.”
Immigrants and their allies also warn that the preliminary injunction will likely do little to curb the numbers of immigrants getting funneled into the deportation system as the federal government continues to dramatically ramp up mass deportation initiatives like Secure Communities, Criminal Alien Program, and 287(g) across the country. Even New York has recently signed onto the federal government’s much maligned “Secure Communities” and has colluded for decades with the federal government to carry out mass detentions and deportations.
As a result, “We remain vigilant as immigrant communities and allies across the country to ensure that SB 1070 is fully repealed and that all copycat proposals fail,” stated Monami Maulik of DRUM. While the federal government has promoted recent versions of “comprehensive immigration reform” as a solution to laws like SB 1070, these advocates firmly content that such proposals will in fact do more harm than good.
“What we need is a humane legalization bill that is not undermined by harsh deportation and border militarization provisions,” said Manisha Vaze from Families for Freedom. “We need genuine reform, one that truly promises to keep families together.”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
An inivtation from Adhikaar Youth Group
Namaste from New York! Please join us in celebrating Adhikaar's 5th Anniversary with performances and an award ceremony.
Expressions for Justice: Celebrating Our Collective Voices.
When: August 7, 2010 (Saturday)
6:30pm - 8pm - Dinner Reception
8pm - 10pm - Award Ceremony & Performances
... stay back for desserts and dancing....
Where: Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY
FREE EVENT, but please come with a big heart to support Adhikaar's crucial work. You can also make a generous contribution today.
Expressions for Justice: Celebrating Our Collective Voices.
When: August 7, 2010 (Saturday)
6:30pm - 8pm - Dinner Reception
8pm - 10pm - Award Ceremony & Performances
... stay back for desserts and dancing....
Where: Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY
FREE EVENT, but please come with a big heart to support Adhikaar's crucial work. You can also make a generous contribution today.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Successful Free Health Fair and Mammography at Adhikaar
On July 11, 2010 Adhikaar successfully organized a free health fair in collaboration with the Association of Nepali Physicians in America (ANPA). Over 100 individuals benefited from free blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other general health screening services. In addition, 42 women over forty years received free mammogram. Adhikaar organizes two mammography events every year in partnership with American Italian Cancer Foundation and Multi Diagnostics.
Shanta Shah, one of the beneficiaries of the health fair shared, “The health fair was very well-planned this year. It went smoothly, so I did not have to wait.” She further added, “The doctors provided good consultation.”
Most of the attendees of the health fair could not afford health insurance, and many of those who did, suffered from the lack of Nepali interpreters in the hospitals. Dibyashori Shakya of Woodside expressed her appreciation for the interpretation services at the health fair, and confided, “Due to language problem, I cannot frequent the hospital without company. Adhikaar’s interpreters made it easy to communicate [with the nurses during mammography].”
Lobsang Dorjee, one of regular participants at Adhikaar’s English for Empowerment classes commented, “I am very thankful to Adhikaar for providing access to basic health screening that I would not have been able to access otherwise.”
ANPA Chair, Dr. Rekha Hamal Chetry, lauded Adhikaar on the efficient organization of the health fair. She also shared, “We do not have to go to the remote hills of Nepal to help our brothers and sisters who are in need.” She added, “Adhikaar gave us the opportunity to serve Nepali community New York. We understand the needs and lifestyle of the Nepali community better, so the community members weren’t hesitant to communicate with us.”
Adhikaar would like to thank all the volunteers who came in early and stayed in till late despite the World Cup final match. Some pictures of the health fair are attached here: http://picasaweb.google.com/adhikaar/20100711#.
Shanta Shah, one of the beneficiaries of the health fair shared, “The health fair was very well-planned this year. It went smoothly, so I did not have to wait.” She further added, “The doctors provided good consultation.”
Most of the attendees of the health fair could not afford health insurance, and many of those who did, suffered from the lack of Nepali interpreters in the hospitals. Dibyashori Shakya of Woodside expressed her appreciation for the interpretation services at the health fair, and confided, “Due to language problem, I cannot frequent the hospital without company. Adhikaar’s interpreters made it easy to communicate [with the nurses during mammography].”
Lobsang Dorjee, one of regular participants at Adhikaar’s English for Empowerment classes commented, “I am very thankful to Adhikaar for providing access to basic health screening that I would not have been able to access otherwise.”
ANPA Chair, Dr. Rekha Hamal Chetry, lauded Adhikaar on the efficient organization of the health fair. She also shared, “We do not have to go to the remote hills of Nepal to help our brothers and sisters who are in need.” She added, “Adhikaar gave us the opportunity to serve Nepali community New York. We understand the needs and lifestyle of the Nepali community better, so the community members weren’t hesitant to communicate with us.”
Adhikaar would like to thank all the volunteers who came in early and stayed in till late despite the World Cup final match. Some pictures of the health fair are attached here: http://picasaweb.google.com/adhikaar/20100711#.
We would also like to thank the following individuals from ANPA for their valuable time and service during the health camp.
Lila Rajaka (Nurse)
Rita Shrestha (Nurse)
Bidhya Bista (Nurse)
Saroj Prakash Kandel, MD
Dron Gauchan, MD
Harish Mahaseth, MD
Padam Neopane, MD
Bhupendra Wagley, MD
Yogita Shah, MD
Binod Shah, MD
Rekha H. Chetry, MD
Adhikaar is organizing another free mammogram in November 2010. If you’d like to attend, or know someone who would benefit from it, please call us at 718-937-1117.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Celebrate with Adhikaar on Aug 7th
Please join us in celebrating Adhikaar's 5th Anniversary & award ceremony.
When:August 7, 2010 (Saturday)
6:30pm - 8pm - Dinner Reception
8pm - 10pm - Award Ceremony & Performances
... stay back for desserts and dancing....
Where:Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South
New York, NY
FREE EVENT, but please come with a big heart to support Adhikaar's crucial work. You can also make a generous contribution today.
RSVP: events@adhikaar.org or via Facebook: http://bit.ly/celebratewithAdhikaar
718-937-1117 http://www.adhikaar.org/ www.facebook.com/adhikaar