Tag Archives: Illinois

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a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for President.


Five years ago today, a few thousand of us gathered in Springfield, Illinois, to launch an improbable campaign for President.

The task was to build a grassroots movement capable of making the kind of change we believe in.

You’ve got to see this video about that journey — it will make you smile:


From the very start this has been an experiment in our political process, testing whether ordinary people really can still come together to change this country.

We proved that it’s possible. But we’ve also learned that entrenched interests adapt and claw back even harder, which means this election will be even more of a challenge.

I can’t wait to see what you can do.

Barack

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More than 1 million people like you power this campaign. If you can, please donate today.

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Pledge now to make 2012 the year for immigrant families


Reform Immigration FOR America

Take the pledge

Pledge now to make 2012 the year for immigrant families
The end of the year is a time for reflecting on the past, and planning for the future. This has been a tremendous year for immigrant rights — we were able to secure prosecutorial discretion on the national level, and declare major state victories in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, California and Arizona.
Yet we know how quickly victories can be taken away. When our representatives continue to cave to anti-immigrant zealots, our achievements can we undone. Only when we unite our energy and efforts can we overcome, as we saw just this weekend with our allies in Alabama.
I’m calling on all of us to make a resolution for 2012: let this be the year immigrant families show our strength, in our communities and across the country. Will you join me in this pledge?
Soon you will be hearing from other allies in our movement, some new and some familiar. Although I am stepping out of my role with RI4A, I remain as bound to this movement — and each of you who make up its whole — as ever.
I am so proud of the work we have done together.Let’s rededicate ourselves, no matter where we are, to defending and empowering our families — join me in making the pledge for 2012.
As always, thanks for all that you do,
Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America
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Marissa Graciosa, Reform Immigration FOR America


One year later, the DREAM lives on
One year ago today, we received the bitter news that the U.S. Senate would not take the DREAM Act to a vote. Callous Senators sought to punish immigrant youth, and overwhelmed those Senators who stood with us in our fight for the vote. You made over 80,000 calls, sent thousands of faxes, and brought countless new individuals into the struggle by convincing them of a simple truth, the truth that lit the fire within us all: the hard work of young people deserves the recognition and reward of our entire country, no matter their status. Without the federal legislation, what has become of the DREAM? Immigrant youth continue to lead and continue to fight — winning major victories this year in Illinois, Maryland and California.But as long as our leaders continue to support a broken system, these breakthroughs will remain fragile. One year ago, I wrote asking you to remember where our legislators stood on this vote. We have a lot of work ahead in 2012, and we won’t be forgetting who stood with us and against us one year ago today.I know you won’t either.

Thanks for all that you do,
Marissa Graciosa Reform Immigration FOR America
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Never stop fighting for justice and WE WILL WIN …Ana Zamora, Death Penalty Focus


I write today with a heavy heart. Troy Davis was executed yesterday at 11:08 pm EST, by the state of Georgia. Last night, I was full of sorrow and grief for Mr. Davis, his family, the family of Officer Mark MacPhail, and our failed justice system.  This morning, I awake with a renewed sense of urgency and ready to channel this grief into action.

It has become utterly clear to me:  We must fight with everything we have, to end the death penalty.  The only way to ensure an innocent person is not executed is by erasing the death penalty as an option.  Mr. Davis, in his last day with us, understood this reality best:        WWW.deathpenalty.org

“There are so many more Troy Davis’. This fight to end the death penalty is not won or lost through me but through our strength to move forward and save every innocent person in captivity around the globe. We need to dismantle this unjust system city by city, state by state and country by country…Never Stop Fighting for Justice and We will Win!”

Today, while I grieve the loss of Mr. Davis, I also make the following promise: I, Ana Zamora, promise to fight to end the death penalty one state at a time.

In memory of Troy Davis and in the spirit of justice, will you join me? CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE PLEDGE.   WWW.deathpenalty.org

This will, by no means, be an easy task and we will need the support of many. We have already been successful in New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Illinois.  These successes, coupled with our powerful show of unity and strength for Mr. Davis, makes me confident that we will continue to succeed in ending the death penalty.

Thank you,
Ana Zamora