[act-ma] THURSDAY: Sanctuary Communites, Sanctuary World: Speak Out Rally

[Cole Harrison]

Sanctuary Communites, Sanctuary World: Speak Out Rally

[image: Walk for a New Spring]
<http://masspeaceaction.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Walk-for-a-New-Spring-Press-Release_page1_image1.jpg>
2017 Walk for a New Spring: Thursday, Noon, State House

The New England Peace Pagoda initiated a 28-day walk
<http://masspeaceaction.org/event/walk-for-new-spring-2017/> that started
in Massachusetts on March 12, 2017 and will end in Washington, DC on April
8. It is open to all interested people. This is the 16th annual “Walk for a
New Spring <http://masspeaceaction.org/event/walk-for-new-spring-2017/>”,
first undertaken after September 11, 2001. This year the call of the walk
will be for “Sanctuary Communities, Sanctuary World”.

We have walked in many areas of Massachusetts and will conclude our journey
in Washington DC to show active solidarity with immigrants, to honor the
many people, faith communities and other communities and political leaders
who are coming together across all lines to commit to sanctuary for our
immigrant brothers and sisters.

We call also for a world free of the terrifying oppression of war and
weaponry, domestically and internationally. Let the US begin our destined
and true path of demilitarization and the building of a peaceful country.

We are asking communities and their legislators along our route, to support
the “Safe Communities Act of Massachusetts (Senate #1596, House#3052), a
bill that would:

• Ensure no State Support for a Muslim registry
• Ensures Basic Due Process Rights for People detained in State Local
Facilities for Civil Immigration Violations
• Use Police Resources to fight Crime, not Separate Families
• Prohibit agreements with DHS that Deputize Local Officers as Immigrations
Officers

The walk has collected signatures on a Safe Communities Act Petition that
will be brought to the Massachusetts State House on March 30, in support of
the legislation. We are asking people to join this public event on Thursday,

• 12 Noon – State House Steps where we will hold a “Speak Out Rally” for
Sanctuary
Cities/ Sanctuary World.
• 1 pm – Meet with Constituents Services- Gov. Bakers Office.
• 1:30 – Visit Speaker Robert DeLeo’s Office
• 2 pm – Senate President Stanley Rosenberg’s Office
• 2:30 pm – Walk to Boston City Hall to deliver a letter of appreciation
for Mayor Marty Walsh’s courage and leadership

The last day of the walking, April 5th in Washington, DC will culminate
with a final procession to Capitol Hill, where our Western Massachusetts
Congressman, Jim McGovern has reserved a room for the presentation on
“Sanctuary and Demilitarization”. All senators, congresspersons will be
invited along with their staff. We ask all people, both along our route and
throughout the country to strongly invite their legislators to come to the
presentation. We also invite all people who can, to please join us for the
final day of walking, April 5th.

The New England Peace Pagoda is a Buddhist community of Nipponzan Myohoji
Japanese Buddhist Order. The temple and pagoda is located in Leverett, MA.
Contact: Tim Bullock – 413-485-8469 – walk4anewspring at gmail.com

-- 
Cole Harrison
Executive Director
Massachusetts Peace Action
11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA 02138
w: 617-354-2169
m: 617-466-9274
f: /masspeaceaction
t: @masspeaceaction