Immigrant Rights Day
May 1st has been celebrated for more than a century as International Workers Day, commemorating the struggle for an eight hour workday in the United States. In 2006, immigrant and immigrant solidarity groups called for May 1st protests against House Resolution 4437, which would have criminalized those assisting undocumented immigrants and turned undocumented status from a civil violation to a federal aggravated felony. Over 1.5 million people took part in demonstrations, in what was one of the single largest days of protest in U.S. history. Many immigrants also participated in a general strike by refusing to conduct business, go to work, or attend school.
The May 1st protests of 2006 were so powerful that May 1st has become an unofficial day on which immigrants and allies hold events in towns and cities across the United States to press for immigrant rights. The organization for May Day events is decentralized, meaning that individual UUs and congregations will need to contact local organizations to see what is planned for their area, or initiate planning in their communities in conjunction with other local organizations.
Resources
Welcoming Our Neighbors (PDF): An Immigration Resource for Unitarian Universalists
For You Were Once a Stranger (PDF): Immigration in the U.S. Through the Lens of Faith
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Social Justice Immigration Web Pages
Unitarian Universalist Association History
At the UUA's first General Assembly in 1961, we passed a resolution on the rights of immigrant workers, followed by a 1963 resolution calling for immigration reform. Throughout the 1970s we supported immigrant farm worker campaigns, and in the 1980s, many Unitarian Universalist congregations were actively involved in the Sanctuary movement. Three General Assemblies of the UUA endorsed sanctuary for refugees and the UUA Board of Trustees established a fund to support individuals seeking sanctuary and to aid churches providing sanctuary. Our 2004 Statement on Civil Liberties affirmed our commitment to advocate for the right to due process of immigrants, refugees and foreign nationals. In 2006 and 2007, the General Assembly passed Actions of Immediate Witness to support immigrant communities, including a call for an immediate moratorium on federal raids and resulting deportations.
UUA President Addresses Immigrant Rights May Day Rally
UUA Supports the New Sanctuary Movement
Last updated on Monday, June 23, 2008.
