Above: From FightForOurDREAM.org
Courageous DREAMers Arrested, Will Refuse to Identify Themselves in Attempt to Remain in Jail Until Congress Commits to Passing the DREAM Act
More protests for the passage of the DREAM Act are planned for this week after eight were arrested in protests last week.
SIGN UP FOR OUR SECOND ROUND OF ACTIONS DECEMBER 18TH-22ND
THIS IS IT. WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK TO ENSURE CONGRESS PASSES A CLEAN DREAM ACT AND GRANTS PERMANENT PROTECTION TO UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR
Seven DACA beneficiaries and one ally were arrested Friday calling on leaders from both parties to ensure votes needed to pass a Clean Dream Act. They are now entering day 4 of incarceration and continue to be on a hunger strike. With every day, there is an increased risk of detention by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE).
Congress has passed a short-term spending bill, delaying the final decision about whether or not to include a clean DREAM Act until December 22nd. In response, we will be taking massive nonviolent direct action in Washington DC and in cities nationwide on December 18th-22nd, starting on the 7th anniversary of when the original DREAM Act died in the Senate, to demand permanent protection for all undocumented youth. This is our best shot at passing the Dream act, we can and must win before the end of the year. We have 11 days to make this happen; we cannot do this without you.
“We have been in jail for 4 days now. We haven’t eaten since Friday morning. We are tired. Our parents and communities are worried about us. But I am willing to risk deportation because I have nothing else to lose,” said one of the Undocumented Youth. The youth are demanding that Senator Schumer publicly confirm that he has the votes to block any spending bill that does not include a clean Dream Act. “We are willing to risk it all. We are asking Schumer – what are you willing to risk?”
“Some say that we can wait to pass legislation. But every day the Dream Act does not pass, more Undocumented Youth are at risk of detention and deportation. There is no time to waste. We need permanent protection now.” said another of the Undocumented Youth
A press release from the group said “we have reason to believe that D.C. Pre-Trial Services contacted ICE regarding one Undocumented Youth’s immigration status. There is a concern surrounding further ICE communication and engagement for the other youth as the days go by and they continue to be in police custody.”
Join us on December 18th in Washington D.C. or organize a local action to ensure a clean Dream Act granting permanent protection to undocumented youth is included in the year-end spending bill.
About #OurDream
The #OurDream campaign is calling on every Democrat and Republican who says they support Dreamers to join Senators Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Dick Durbin, Cory Booker and Congressman Keith Ellison who have pledged to vote against any spending bill that does not include permanent protection for undocumented youth. We need you to take action until we win permanent protection. Every single person deserves the opportunity to pursue their dream, regardless of their skin color, their gender, or where they were born. Our families, our communities, and all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States will not give up on this fight.
Join the fight for #OurDream.