FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2014
Contact:
Emily Kessel, eakessel@nakasec.org
Beatriz Lopez, beatriz@fast4families.org
“Fast for Families” Calls on Majority Leader, 40 House Republicans to Act on Immigration Reform
“Fast for Families” Leaders and Advocates From Across the Country Descend on Capitol Hill to Urge Majority Leader Cantor & their Representatives, 40 Republicans, to Act on Immigration Reform
Follow the report-backs from the meetings on Twitter: @fast4families
See pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fast4families/sets/72157645111370374/
WASHINGTON, DC – On June 10th, “Fast for Families” leaders and advocates from across the country met with 40 key House Republicans to urge them to move immigration reform to a vote. Following a prayer service outside the U.S. Capitol, more than one hundred advocates delivered a large, 3-ft wide letter to Congressman Eric Cantor’s office highlighting the urgent need for him to stop blocking commonsense reforms to our nation’s broken immigration system.
“Earlier this year, we traveled across America, knocked on their doors, and now we’re back,” said Eliseo Medina of “Fast for Families” and SEIU. “Right now, Congressman Cantor is a little busy in his district, but we’re simply not going to let up. He, along with his colleagues in the House, will be reminded that we aren’t playing politics. It’s time to call a vote and put an end to our country’s moral crisis.”
Following the action, the 90+ constituents fanned out across the House offices for direct meetings with their representatives and legislative staff. The faith and community leaders flew to Washington to increase pressure on House Republicans at the beginning of a critical window in the legislative calendar, and on the same day that Majority Leader Cantor faces off with his primary challenger in Virginia.
“Immigration reform is the moral test of our time. Rain or shine, we’re not going away until we heal this broken system,” added Jim Wallis of Sojourners.
“We will continue to pray and act,” said Rev. Eun-sang Lee of the United Methodist Church and NAKASEC. “We refuse to go away during this critical time. The House knows they can act and we will make sure Cantor and the 40 Republicans we are visiting today understand that they cannot ignore their constituents’ call for immigration reform.”
Earlier this year, the “Fast for Families” national bus tour traveled to more than 90 congressional districts to highlight the moral urgency for Congress to pass commonsense immigration reform.
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans on major social justice issues. NAKASEC maintains offices in Annandale, Virginia and Los Angeles, California. NAKASEC has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).
