Promise Arizona

Reflecting on 2010

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2010 was a challenging year for us here in Arizona. We experienced the passage and signing of SB1070, the most anti-immigrant bill in the country, which suddenly made us the nation’s battlefront for immigrant rights. From that fire arose extraordinary and inspiring leaders. People who were never engaged in civic life suddenly became engaged in actively transforming injustice into power for the immigrant community. Since April 2010, Promise Arizona organizers and leaders achieved remarkable accomplishments as they:

Mobilized over 10,000 people to the Arizona state capitol for a vigil that lasted 103 days to demand an end to SB1070.
Registered 13,040 new voters
Recruited and trained over 1,5000 volunteers
Ran a 3-week nonpartisan “Get Out the Vote” effort during which canvassers knocked on 37,120 doors & contacting 9,877 voters

But we have much more to do and we can’t do it without your continued support in 2011.

So help us out by making a tax-deductible year-end donation. Click here to donate now.

Your online donation directly fuels the courageous efforts at the frontlines of the fight for immigrant rights. With your help, we can support more organizers and volunteers on the ground by providing them with resources and trainings. We can initiate more meetings with members of our state legislators and create the impact we’ll need to win the fight for just and fair immigration reform.

You can support us by giving what you can with a tax-deductible year-end donation to Promise Arizona today.

(Above Promise Arizona leaders receiving MVO award at RootsCamp) Receiving the Most Valuable Campaign at RootsCamp validated our approach and belief that, the people of Arizona have the ability to transform injustice to power through a grassroots approach to organizing.

It’s impossible to overstate this truth: the power we build now — today — will have a big impact in this upcoming year.

DREAM ACT: The Fight Isn’t Over

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On Saturday the DREAM Act, a bill providing undocumented students a pathway to citizenship, failed in the Senate by only five votes. This was not a defeat for the immigrant community, which won a majority of votes in both the House and the Senate, but for our leadership who failed to stand for justice. Here in Arizona both Senator John McCain and Senator Jon Kyl ignored the voices of their constituents, despite the thousands of calls, faxes and visits made urging them to vote yes.

We need to make sure those who voted ‘yes’ are thanked for their bravery, and those, like Senator McCain and Kyle, who voted ‘no’ feel the pressure and realize this fight isn’t over.

Tell the Senators who voted against the DREAM Act that we won’t forget their poor leadership.

In-state line: 866-877-5552

National line: 866-877-5529

Thank the Senators who voted for the DREAM Act that we are grateful for their courage.

In-state line: 866-956-8590

National line: 866-957-9069

We are especially proud of all the young DREAMers who fought so hard for rights of undocumented youth. Your courage and resilience continues to play a critical role in the larger movement for immigrant rights.

Promise Arizona Disappointed By Congress’ Failure To Pass Dream Act

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For Immediate Release: December 18, 2010
Contact: Ahlam Said, Ahlam@promiseaz.org, (469) 835-7551

Promise Arizona Disappointed By Congress’ Failure To Pass DREAM Act
Community Pledges to Continue Fight For Immigrant Rights

Phoenix- Today the DREAM Act Bill providing undocumented students a pathway to citizenship failed in the Senate. This is not a defeat for the immigrant community, which won a majority of votes in both the House and the Senate, but because of failed leadership. The DREAM act needed 60 votes to pass. The following is a statement by Petra Falcon, executive director of Promise Arizona.

“We thank our leaders in the Senate who stood up for our young people and voted for the DREAM Act. For those who voted against the most dedicated and committed young immigrants of this nation, you will have to answer. Leadership takes courage and we did not see that today – we need to elect those people that best represent our values. We will continue building power by organizing, mobilizing and educating our communities and we will remember which side of history you were on.”

“We will continue fighting for the values and ideals that this country was founded on. We will work hard to ensure unconstitutional and un-American policies like SB1070 never move beyond the drawing board, and we will give everything we have for state and local policies that provide immigrants with the dignity all human beings are entitled to.”

“We are proud of all the DREAMers who showed the nation what courage and resilience looks like. We will continue to grow our movement and work towards justice and dignity for all that live in this nation.”

Promise Arizona is a partner in the national movement to pass the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. It has registered and mobilized thousands of voters in Arizona to bring more residents, including Latinos, youth and allies, into public life.

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Promise Arizona Calls for Prayers and Action to Pass DREAM Act

Posted on %A %B %e%q, %Y by ahlam Posted in Uncategorized

For Immediate Release: December 8, 2010
Contact: Ahlam Said, ahlam@promiseaz.org, (469) 835.7551

Promise Arizona Calls for Prayers and Action to Pass DREAM Act

DREAM Act Scheduled for House Vote, Senate Cloture Vote on Wednesday

: Community members in prayer during late Tuesday evening’s vigil held at the State Capitol. Picture by Musa Syeed

Phoenix- Today, the House and Senate are expected to vote on the DREAM Act. In anticipation of the vote, on Tuesday night, Promise Arizona held a vigil as part of a national day of action from immigration groups all across the country.

More than 75 community members attended the vigil, which was held on the State Capitol lawn. Young DREAMers shared their stories with the community and asked them call representatives Wednesday morning, and more importantly, pray for them.

“I know that our prayers are reaching him”, said Celso Mireles, referring to Sen. John McCain. Celso, a graduate of ASU and DREAM activist, has been fasting for seven days for the DREAM Act. “We hope that our message is reaching his soul and touching his heart, and that he at least reconsiders what he’s doing.”

: Celso Mireles sharing his story with community members and urging them to continue praying and calling. Picture by Musa Syeed

“Lord we are aware that there are some senators that are resistant and are blocking the way, and we are asking you for a path and a way through the Senate,” said Pastor Danely of Neighborhood Ministries during a group prayer. “These people of influence and power, they’re in your hands, and we ask you to move them.”

Community members continued praying until late in the evening and will continue praying at Centro Soledad until Congress votes.

“Passing the DREAM Act is the smart thing to do for Arizona and America. Our economy and military would benefit greatly by incorporating these young talented individuals into our society,” said Petra Falcon, executive director for Promise Arizona. We call on Sen. McCain and our other representatives to do the right thing by standing up for our youth who are risking everything for the chance to give back to America. We live in the most talented, powerful and richest nation in the world, and we should be able to come up with the right solution to a broken immigration system.”

Petra Falcon and Arizona DREAMers are available for interviews. Please contact Ahlam Said to book an interview.

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