Last March, over 50 bus riders and thousands of others took part in a historic bus tour and related events that covered central Oregon, eastern Oregon, Idaho, and southeastern Washington featuring rallies, community forums, and press conferences calling for just immigration reform and drivers licenses for Oregon drivers.
As one bus rider shared, “I will never forget this experience! This is the ind of society I want to live in. A place where we find solutions to problems, where everyone takes part, and no one is left behind. We are all like brothers and sisters. After this, back at home, I will keep volunteering and organizing. I won’t stop until everyone has documents.”
Now you too can experience the March for ONE Oregon! Watch the 23 minute documentary filmed by B Media Collective here: Aqui Estamos y No Nos Vamos
We sent out several ROPnets along the way, sharing the experiences of breaking down rural isolation, learning each others’ stories, and working together to respond to the hate attack that took place at Trinity Episcopal in Bend after hosting the bus tour’s kickoff event. This video captures the heart, the stories and the reasons why so many of us put our lives on hold for a week to travel across three states. It wasn’t an easy trip – long stretches on the road, little sleep, all pitching in to make sure we each had everything we needed – but on that bus we built the kind of community that we want, a community where everyone is welcome, no one is left behind and all are embraced for who they are, with or without documents, immigrant or citizen, queer or straight, young or elder.
The bus tour intentionally targeted Rep. Greg Walden in Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, meeting with his staff and rallying outside of his offices. Why Walden? Walden is a powerful Republican leader nationally and has been vocally opposed to immigration reform. This is a historic national moment and Oregon is critical to achieving just reform.
Saturday, July 13th at 12PM noon, Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez, a national leader for just immigration reform, will be at Hood River Middle School, in Rep Walden’s hometown, to speak at a community immigration reform forum to specifically targeting Rep. Walden. Can you make it?
Community Forum on Immigration Reform
with special guest Illinois Congressman & immigration reform champion
Luis Gutierrez
The US Housem must pass immigration reform and stop the separation of families. Come to this special forum with Illinois Congressman Luis Gutierrez and find out what you can do to make it happen.
Saturday July 13th, 2013 12noon
Hood River Middle School
1602 May St Hood River
For more information: 971-240-7414
If you can’t make it, please consider making a call to one of Congressman Walden’s offices, asking that he stand for all in his community and pass just immigration reform.
Share this ROPnet with your email lists, human dignity group members, your friends and others. Make a plan to watch the March for One Oregon documentary at your next human dignity group meeting together. Spread the word, share the story and let’s keep up the fight for justice for every Oregonian. This is what a Welcoming Community looks like.
Warmly, Jessica, Cara and Amanda