Celebration of Refugees Outside US District Court

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2454548591466288/

Greenbelt, MD – The Washington Times reports that 41 governors from both parties have expressed support for continuing to welcome refugees. Tomorrow, January 8th, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland will hear oral arguments in a lawsuit to protect the refugee program (HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service v. Trump.) 

Outside the courthouse before the hearing, refugees, religious leaders, and allies will celebrate the contributions of refugees to the United States and pray the court will protect our country’s policy of welcome. The gathering will begin at 8am and a brief program will start promptly at 8:15.

Who: Speakers will include Joseph Sackor, a refugee from Liberia now living in PA; Rabbi Jan Kaufman, The Rabbinical Assembly; Susan Krehbiel, Presbyterian Church (USA); Jeremy Kridel, Rabbi of Machar, The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism; Scott Wright, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach; Mo Kantner, New American Economy; Reverend Amy Reumann, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Rev. Steve Moore, First Christian Church (Falls Church, AV); Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Katie Adams, Interfaith Immigration Coalition and United Church of Christ; and Sister Marie Lucey, Franciscan Action Network. Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, will MC. 

Megan Macaraeg of MLOV (Many Languages One Voice) will perform a short musical set.  

Where: The United States District Court for the District of Maryland, 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Greenbelt, MD

When:  Wednesday, January 8th, 8am

Audio/Visuals: Music; diverse crowd with signs; Statue of Liberty imagery

Event Co-Sponsors: Amnesty International-Maryland; Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd; U.S. Provinces; Daughters of Charity; Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Franciscan Action Network; Interfaith Immigration Coalition; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Jewish Women; New American Economy; Presbyterian Church (USA); Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rise for Refuge; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Leadership Team; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; The United Church of Christ; We Are All America.

Amnesty International-Maryland; Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd; U.S. Provinces; Daughters of Charity; Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Franciscan Action Network; Interfaith Immigration Coalition; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Leadership Conference of Women Religious; Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Jewish Women; New American Economy; Presbyterian Church (USA); Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rise for Refuge; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Institute Leadership Team; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; The United Church of Christ; We Are All America.

Background: The lawsuit was brought by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) on behalf of HIAS, CWS, LIRS, and thousands of refugees impacted by the Trump administration’s anti-refugee policies. It challenges Executive Order 13888, which purports to allow states and localities to block refugee resettlement within their jurisdictions. The Executive Order engenders further separation of refugee families; leaves former refugees and U.S. citizens without access to critical support networks; and allows an elected official to arbitrarily end the successful public-private partnership that is the U.S. refugee resettlement program.

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of 54 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. 

Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm

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