11 million people who face deportation could be offered a path to citizenship.  Faith traditions teach us to love our neighbor. People of faith are standing up to end the suffering caused by the deportation process. Click here ask President Obama to suspend deportations while Congress considers immigration reform.

When my former neighbor in Arizona, Katherine Figueroa, was 9 years old, she turned on her TV to see her parents being arrested – and led away in handcuffs on their way to possible deportation.

Katherine’s story is one shared by millions but what makes her stand out is that her family is struggling to stay together and calling upon all of us to help.

Katherine led children’s marches and testified in Congress – and with the help of talented organizers and allies, got her parents out of detention. Now her parents wait anxiously for an upcoming court date to determine whether or not they will be deported – and Katherine and her little sister are left in America without their mom or dad.

Situations like those that Katherine is facing make me shudder at the injustice. But it makes even less sense when her parents are two of the 11 million people who could be offered a path to citizenship that would get them off the road to deportation even in the more conservative versions of the comprehensive immigration bill being debated by Congress right now.

Every single day, more than 1,100 people are separated from their families and loved ones through deportations – that’s nearly 1 deportation every minute – of the very people that Congress is seeking to legalize.

Will you sign a petition to the President asking for a cease to deportations?

I don’t believe we need to wait for tomorrow’s reform to put an end to the needless suffering so many families are enduring today.

As he did for so many youth, President Obama has the ability to suspend deportations and keep families together with the stroke of a pen.

Hundreds of lay organizations are calling upon the President to cease deportations now of those who soon could be citizens under immigration reform. As a faith community, I believe we have an extra responsibility to echo that call. Will you join me in bearing witness and sending a letter to the president?

Click here to add your voice.

As Congress takes up the work of including the 11 million among us who call the US home but are yet to be fully included because of their immigration status, the faith community has a responsibility to bear witness to the on-going suffering caused by our broken immigration policies.

Now that a bi-partisan framework has been presented in Washington, it only makes sense to provide relief from the fearsome specter of deportation for those who would be included in the bill presented by both parties. To not do so is not just an undue hardship on those whose lives hang in the balance, but it is a moral crisis we all are called to help resolve.

Letter to the President:

Mr. President,

In all our faith traditions we are taught to love our neighbor. Therefore, we applaud your leadership to see to the passage of immigration reform that would make the US a more welcoming nation and fully recognize the humanity of all those who call this country home.

Please use your authority to suspend deportations while Congress considers immigration reform.

We believe you have the moral responsibility to do what is in your power to keep families together and reduce the suffering caused by unjust deportation.

Thank you for being a key part of the change we seek to make in the world,

Rev. Minerva Carcaño
Bishop of the Los Angeles Episcopal Area, California-Pacific Conference for The United Methodist Church and the official spokesperson for the United Methodist Council of Bishops on the issue of immigration

P.S. There’s a feature film made about Katherine and her family and an opportunity for you to sign her petition as well: http://bit.ly/katherinesparents

P.P.S. I’m proud to partner with the Not One More campaign, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, and the New Sanctuary Movement Learn more about their work at: http://notonemoredeportation.com

Resources:

National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON)

New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC

Petition delivery Friday to Sen. Paul: Add your name to join your neighbors in Kentucky supporting compassionate & just Immigration Reform

People of faith in Kentucky are growing a movement to support compassionate and just immigration reform. Check it out here. This Friday, at a very special public meeting with Senator Rand Paul, they’re going to deliver a petition calling for his leadership to heal our broken immigration system – and you’re invited.

Will you attend the conversation with Senator Rand Paul on Friday, May 24th at 3:30 PM at the Lexington Public Library Central Branch?
Yes, I can make it.
No, I can’t make it, but I will sign the letter to Senator Rand Paul supporting compassionate and just immigration reform.

Whether you can attend or add your name to be delivered, this is a critical opportunity to show our leaders that there’s a moral movement for a Kentucky that’s united to protect the most vulnerable of it’s neighbors.

Neighbors like Maria Karen Lopez, who just graduated from the University of Louisville (she was their keynote speaker!). Maria Karen has lived in Kentucky since she was 11 years old. The highlight of her week is going to church every Sunday with her family in Mt. Sterling.

But each day, Maria Karen and her family live in fear of being torn apart from each other because they are undocumented. Around the country, 1,100 people are deported every single day – nearly 1 per minute.

It’s one of the reasons why people of faith and values in Kentucky are organizing to heal our nation’s broken immigration system. This Friday, they’re going to show Senator Rand Paul the support that’s out there. I hope you’ll add your name to help make sure our leaders do the right thing.

Click here to tell Senator Rand Paul you support compassionate and just immigration reform.

This is just the beginning of our work in Kentucky. And if you’re interested in getting more involved, I’d love to connect you to our organizers – Stephen Pavey and Reverend Charles Knox. Just reply to this email and let me know.

After being brutally beaten, 82-year-old Piara Singh deserves to have the crime against him counted. 

The FBI is finally meeting June 5th to decide whether or not to track hate crimes against Sikh Americans. We need to make sure they hear from us. Click here to tell the FBI: Track hate crimes against Sikh Americans.

Eighty-two year-old Piara Singh turned to walk home from his gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) in Fresno as he had done every morning for five years. But this day was different. He never made it home. He was assaulted from behind and brutally beaten with a steel rod, leaving him with multiple lacerations, broken ribs and a punctured lung.

This happened in my hometown this month. I was heartbroken when I heard the news. Piara Singh could have been my grandfather.

While local police are calling the assault of Piara Singh a hate crime, the FBI does not currently keep track of hate crimes specifically against Sikh Americans, as it does for many other religious and racial groups. How will Piara Singh be counted? How can we respond effectively to a problem we aren’t measuring?  

Now is our chance to change this for good. The FBI has a meeting scheduled June 5th to decide whether or not to count hate crimes against Sikh Americans. Please sign our petition to make sure they do the right thing.

Click here to tell the FBI: Track hate crimes against Sikh Americans.

Once you’ve signed it, click the icons below to share the action page with your friends and networks via email, Facebook, and Twitter:

When you sign this petition, you’re standing with all Sikh Americans who have been targets of hate, including Harpreet Saini, an 18-year-old boy who lost his mother in the mass shooting in Oak Creek, WI last year.

After the murders in Oak Creek, I accompanied Harpreet to Washington, DC, where he became the first Sikh to testify before the Senate in a historic congressional hearing on combating hate in America. Harpreet asked for an end to violence — against all people. He also asked the government to give his mother at least the dignity of being counted.

Because of Harpreet and the many of you who stood in solidarity after Oak Creek, the FBI is meeting June 5-6 to consider whether to add Sikh to the list of categories on Form 1-699, the Hate Crime Incident Report. We are proud to follow the leadership of the Sikh Coalition on this monumental effort. We are also grateful for our partners at the Sikh American Legal Defense Fund (SALDEF) and South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).

Now we need to make sure the FBI does the right thing. Altogether, we have already sent the FBI more than 4,000 signatures. Will you help us in a final push this week?

Click here to tell the FBI: Track hate crimes against Sikh Americans.

Please stand by Harpreet and Piara by signing the FBI petition. Together we can make this important change.

Power to you – and us together,
Valarie

Valarie Kaur
Groundswell

[1] “Sikh man beaten with steel pipe in Fresno hate crime,” ABC News. May 7, 2013.

Inspired by his faith, Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay NBA basketball player. But ESPN Commentator Chris Broussard said he wasn’t a Christian. 

Rev. Debra Haffner, who started the petition, is meeting with ESPN next week. Help her get to 5,000 signers: Sign the petition. Then share the action page with your friends and networks via email, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

NBA basketball player Jason Collins inspired so many with his courage in coming out as a gay man, but within hours ESPN sportscaster Chris Broussard said to millions of viewers, “I would not characterize that person as a Christian.”

Almost 4,000 people of faith and values have spoken out, signing a petition to tell ESPN Christian does not equal anti-gay. Now, ESPN has agreed to meet next week with Rev. Debra Haffner, who started the petition, and a delegation of LGBT-affirming clergy.

Here’s your chance to show ESPN that people of faith support Jason Collins and our LGBT brothers and sisters.

Before the meeting, will you add your name and help us get to 5,000 signers?

If you haven’t signed the petition yet, click here to add your signature.

Once you’ve signed it, click the icons below to share the action page with your friends and networks via email, Facebook, and Twitter:

Jason Collins is a hero for coming out as the first openly gay NBA basketball player. But if other athletes and Christians are going to come out too, it will take many of us to pave the way for their acceptance and support.

Rev. Debra Haffner will help pave the way in her meeting with ESPN. As co-founder and President of the Religious Institute, she’s been a longtime advocate for full equality of LGBTQ persons in all areas of religious and public life.

She’s going to make sure ESPN hears our voices by telling them 1) to stop trying to score points by misrepresenting religion, and 2) that many Christians celebrate sexual and gender diversity as a blessing consistent with their faith.

Let’s help Rev. Debra Haffner pave the way before her meeting with ESPN next week. Click to share the action page with your friends and networks via email, Facebook, and Twitter.

Power to you and us together,
Isaac

Isaac Luria
Groundswell 

More about the Religious Institute:
The Religious Institute applauds Jason Collins’ courageous public witness, and our network of religious leaders affirms sexual and gender diversity as a blessed part of life. The Religious Institute is a national nonprofit advocating for sexual and reproductive justice, education and health in faith communities and in society. Click here to check it out. 

About Groundswell 
Groundswell is a place for people of faith, the seeking, and the secular to advocate for change they want to see in their communities. Together, we echo, amplify, and empower each other’s calls for justice. It’s where anyone, like you, can easily set up a petition, recruit your friends and colleagues through social media, email whoever signed the petition, and get campaign support from Groundswell headquarters in New York City to make your campaign successful. Click here to check it out.

Inspired by his faith, Jason Collins came out this week as the first openly gay NBA basketball player. But ESPN Commentator Chris Broussard said he wasn’t a Christian. 

 

Tell ESPN to stop this sort of hate mongering from happening again on their network. 

 

NBA Basketball Player Jason Collins inspired so many — including us — with his courage in coming out as a gay man and citing his Christian faith as a core reason for being public about his sexuality.

But hours after the news broke, ESPN sportscaster Chris Broussard’s said to millions of viewers: “I would not characterize that person as a Christian because I don’t think the Bible would characterize them as a Christian.”

Since that moment, ESPN has done nothing to ensure that this sort of hate mongering against gay sports players doesn’t happen again on their network.

More than 800 people of faith have already spoken out on Groundswell demanding that ESPN not allow anti-gay speech to go unchallenged – signing a petition started by Rev. Debra Haffner of the Religious Institute. Will you join her campaign? Click here to tell ESPN that Christian doesn’t equal anti-gay.

When NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay, he noted “My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding.”

And my heart broke when he then explained why he chose his jersey number. “My one small gesture of solidarity was to wear jersey number 98 with the Celtics and then the Wizards. The number has great significance to the gay community. One of the most notorious antigay hate crimes occurred in 1998. Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student, was kidnapped, tortured and lashed to a prairie fence. He died five days after he was finally found.”

After years of hiding who he was, this courageous basketball player needs our support. 

Click here to take action. 

Power to you and us together.

More about the Religious Institute:
The Religious Institute applauds Jason Collins’ courageous public witness, and our network of religious leaders affirms sexual and gender diversity as a blessed part of life. The Religious Institute is a national nonprofit advocating for sexual and reproductive justice, education and health in faith communities and in society. Click here to check it out. 

About Groundswell 
Groundswell is a place for people of faith, the seeking, and the secular to advocate for change they want to see in their communities. Together, we echo, amplify, and empower each other’s calls for justice. It’s where anyone, like you, can easily set up a petition, recruit your friends and colleagues through social media, email whoever signed the petition, and get campaign support from Groundswell headquarters in New York City to make your campaign successful. Click here to check it out.

America stands at a crossroads in the wake of the Boston bombing. Here’s my take on MSNBC: Today, as Groundswell, you can help shape our nation’s future. You can sign a petition. Or you can start a new one. Just click here: http://action.groundswell-movement.org

The Boston bombing two weeks ago shook us to our core. Like you, I was breathing a sigh of relief when the terror finally ended. The crisis is over – but will a new one begin?

Already we have seen echoes of the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001 – profiling of innocent bystanders for the color of their skin, retaliatory hate crimes, and calls for counter-terrorism measures that single out Muslims, immigrants and others. As a Sikh American who has watched her community overcome hate and suspicion since 9/11, I wondered: Will we go down the same road again? Will we let fear divide us?

I believe another future is possible.

In criss-crossing the country, I have watched a multifaith movement rise from the ashes of 9/11 – everyday Americans who are channeling their faith and values into social action. Unlike any other time in history, we have the tools and people-power to shape our nation’s response to crises like this. Just take a look at the inspiring campaigns people like you are running on Groundswell’s platform:

You can sign a petition. Or you can start a new one. Just click here: http://action.groundswell-movement.org.

Right now, Groundswell members are organizing immigration reform rallies and standing with Newtown to prevent gun violence, calling for LGBTQ equality on college campuses and in the Boy Scouts, helping Hurricane Sandy victims and urging prison reform.

Today we are 80,000 strong because we know our struggles as interconnected, and because we stand together to join one greater movement for human dignity and equality.

In the wake of the Boston bombing, we must rely on each other more than ever to shape our communities and country with a vision inspired by our faith and values.

The stakes are high. As we hear reports of racial profiling and hate crimes, public officials are already using the bombing to advance counter-terrorism measures that single out specific communities. As I wrote in my article for the Washington Post, there is so much at stake: Will the Boston bombing lead to heightened surveillance of Muslims, as Rep. Peter King has demanded? Will it cast suspicion on all immigrants just as our nation considers immigration reform, as Sen. Chuck Grassley has suggested? Will it justify curtailing civil liberties, as Senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain implied when they called for Tsarnaev to be sent to Guantanamo?

Only a groundswell can ensure that we do not repeat history. Only a movement can hold our public officials accountable, combat hate and suspicion, and help us stay true to our unity and diversity. More so than in the days after 9/11, we have the power to reject division or fear as solutions.

What would you do if you knew you had 80,000 standing behind you? Would you call for the government to monitor and track hate crimes against all communities, including Sikh Americans? Would you demand that Congress continue to pursue compassionate and just immigration reform, standing with DREAMers and organizers in Kentucky? Would you ask public officials to protect our nation and pledge to preserve our civil liberties? 

You can sign a petition. Or you can start a new one. It’s up to you. Just click here: http://action.groundswell-movement.org.

We are standing by to hear your ideas, support your campaigns, and amplify our voices in the critical days ahead. I am hopeful that together we can prevent another post-9/11 decade. We have enough lessons from history to learn from the past, but we also have more power to change the course of the future. Onward. 

Power to you – and us together, 

Valarie Kaur
Groundswell

About Groundswell 
Groundswell is a place for people of faith, the seeking, and the secular to advocate for change they want to see in their communities. Together, we echo, amplify, and empower each other’s calls for justice. It’s where anyone, like you, can easily set up a petition, recruit your friends and colleagues through social media, email whoever signed the petition, and get campaign support from Groundswell headquarters in New York City to make your campaign successful. Click here to check it out.

Just a few weeks ago, people all across our country shined light on the dark injustice of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law that forbids our federal government from recognizing the loving marriages of people who happen to be of the same gender.

Amazingly, this case was heard at the same time many people observe Passover and Holy Week. People all across our country observed their holy days by shining light on the dark injustice of DOMA by praying.

Almost two hundred of us across the country offered blessings of hope, justice and equality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters.

Here are some of their stories, told by them:

Jessica Steinman in Los Angeles: “It was a huge success!”

My sister, Rabbi Eleanor Steinman, has led the Seder at Susan Feniger’s restaurant Street for the past 2 years. This year Ellie had to let them know she was unable to participate this year since she would be flying to Washington D.C to stand outside the Supreme Court for both Prop 8 and DOMA arguments. I was overjoyed and filled with pride to not only lead the Seder in her place but lead a room of 100 people from all sects of Judaism and Non Jews in a short, simple but incredibly meaningful Seder on Passover, the holiday about Freedom during a time when freedom and equality is needed and deserved most!

Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield in Birmingham: “How can you not?”

It was great!  Our church, Woodlawn United Methodist Church, hosted a Marriage Equality Prayer Service.  We had about 80 people in attendance, young, old, gay, straight, clergy, lay, of all different colors.  It gave people a chance to come together in prayer for justice.  We had a good amount of media coverage – both the media and a few detractors asked, “How can a church speak out for same-sex marriage?”  A wise friend of mine said, “How can you not.”

Rev. Susan Russell in Pasadena, CA: So many saints do work with All Saints Church!

It was Palm Sunday so the church was PACKED and our rector Ed Bacon (AKA senior pastor) preached a wonderful sermon entitled “It doesn’t have to be this way” … which included a shout-out for marriage equality. Click here to see the video!

Meanwhile, on the lawn between and after services, our weekly “Faith in Action Item” was having church members sign onto a letter thanking the 29 Episcopal bishops who signed the amici briefs on the Perry and Windsor cases.

Finally, our prayers included … for all who work for equality, especially for our Supreme Court Justices as they consider the marriage equality cases this week.  

Liz Bader-Natal in Pacifica, CA: “Once we crossed the Red Sea – we removed our chains!”

It was so great to talk about the relevancy of the Passover story in today’s world.  We used, in addition to discussing other current human rights issues, this reading from California Faith for Equality.  The room erupted in cheers as soon as the reader finished the section.  

Our Seder was full of singing and participation.  We wore big plastic chain necklaces to represent the oppression that so many still experience.  And once we crossed the Red Sea – we removed our chains!!

Rev. Ryan Otto in Sioux Falls, SD: “This we proclaim concerning the Word of life.”

A group of 15 people—about half of them clergy—gathered for prayer and song.  It was a beautifully sacred time where we shared readings from 1 John and excerpts from Gene Robinson’s book “God Believes in Love.”  We prayed in a circle and lifted up names of loved ones we know who are immediately affected by this upcoming decision.  

We have to wait until June to know whether or not the Supreme Court will strike DOMA down as being unconstitutional, but there is action we can all take now. 

Check out the LGBT campaigns currently running on Groundswell – and think about you how can help further turn these DOMA blessings into action. Then, start your own campaign!

It’s easy to do but can help take us far to help all people marry the person they love – regardless of their gender.

National Call Day: Call your Senator & demand action to prevent gun violence We can’t bring back the lives lost to gun violence, including the 20 children in Newtown this December, but we can take action to prevent the next tragedy NOW. Join your fellow Groundswell members participating in the National Call Day: Click here to be connected to your Senator’s office.

As soon as today, the Senate is going to vote on life-saving bills to prevent gun violence – including the Manchin-Toomey Amendment on background checks.

So today, all over the country, Groundswell members are picking up their phones to make sure our leaders know the only right and just action is a vote to prevent gun violence.

Our partners in action at Faiths United and Mayors Against Illegal Guns have created a call-in tool that automatically connects you to your Senator’s office. Will you take 3 minutes to call your Senator right now?

Click here to be connected to your Senator’s office: www.demandaction.org/SupportGunReform

I timed my call to my Senator’s office. It took 3 minutes from start to finish. I introduced myself and gave the purpose of my call using the helpful talking points provided.

Hi my name is Isaac and I live in New York. I’m calling to ask my Senator to support action to prevent gun violence and save lives, including background checks in the Manchin-Toomey Amendment.

We can’t bring back the lives lost to gun violence, including the 20 children in Newtown this December, but we can take action to prevent the next tragedy NOW.

The staffer thanked me and asked if I was with an organization. I proudly said, I represent a community of people of faith and values called Groundswell. Please join me and your fellow Groundswell members in calling our Senators today.

Click here to be connected to your Senator’s office: www.demandaction.org/SupportGunReform

I called today because I can’t forget a video I watched in January of the Newtown community testimony before Connecticut leaders. One mother – Scarlett Lewis – testified through tears about her son Jesse, who was 6 years old when his life was cut short on that tragic day in December.

She said, “I think about kissing his sleeping cheek all the time. How soft it was. And how glad I am that I took the opportunity when I could.“ 

For Scarlett in Newtown, and for all our neighbors near and far who have lost a loved one to gun violence, please take this opportunity to call your Senator and tell them to to take action to prevent gun violence, including background checks.

We can do this. We can pass meaningful gun violence prevention.

Power to you and to us together,
Isaac