May 8, 2020
Sacramento, CA— On Monday, May 11th, 2020, the California Immigrant Policy Center will host Immigrant Day of Action, California’s largest advocacy day to advance immigrant justice and inclusion in the state. The event brings 1000 advocates, community members, and organizers from across California to Sacramento to share their vision for a more inclusive California. This year, this invaluable day of advocacy is going digital.
For nearly 25 years, CIPC has convened Immigrant Day of Action to gather communities across the state to share their vision and voice directly with legislators and the Governor’s office. In order to follow social distancing guidance from our state and local leaders, Immigrant Day of Action is going digital in 2020 but will be no less urgent. It will continue to be a day full of important discourse, urging elected officials to consider implementing life-saving policies now, sharing impacted stories, panel discussions, and celebrating heroes, leaders, and neighbors.
This year’s policy platform includes Medi-Cal access for seniors, including immigrant workers in the California Earned Income Tax Credit, expanding workforce protections to domestic workers, and protecting parole-eligible immigrants from being transferred into an ICE detention facility. This year, Immigrant Day of Action will be joined by over 700 participants and clock in 90 legislative visits.
“We will gather on May 11, celebrating not just the courage and resilience of immigrant families and the good people of this state, but our collective hope for a more just and humane society that will come out of this pandemic. Our shared humanity demands that in this moment of ensuring our collective survival, deep solidarity and compassionate vision will get us through,” said Cynthia Buiza, Executive Director, CIPC.
In the wake of COVID-19, which exposes the cracks in our immigration system, safety net, and economy, this day is an opportunity for our partners, neighbors, friends, and leaders to work with elected officials to create transformative change. California’s recent investment in an emergency fund for undocumented families is a valuable step and an example of what organizing can do. But it’s just the beginning!
“Over 27 percent of Californians are foreign-born, making our state the single largest destination of immigrants to the United States. Our diversity is our strength – from our people and culture to our innovation and economic strength,” said Lt. Gov. Elena Kounalakis. “During this time of global and national crisis, now more than ever, we must look out for our immigrant communities and ensure they are protected.”
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For up-to-date information please check out CIPC’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram channels or visit our website.