With a few stubborn opponents to go, immigration advocates rally for reform and jobs

Gamaliel affiliates in actions around U.S. on May Day

Contact: Jesusa Rivera, National Chair, Gamaliel Civil Rights of Immigrants, 574-340-6959; Cirien Saadeh, Asamblea de Derechos Civiles, 952-426-2429; Gordon Mayer, Gamaliel Communications, 312-307-0133

MEDIA ADVISORY, April 29, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Gamaliel affiliates are memorializing May Day with visits to legislators, marches and a major action by ally Asamblea de Derechos Civiles in Minnesota.

Since last fall, several hundred interfaith Gamaliel leaders across the country joined in national fasts to highlight the need for immigration reform and an end to deportations, raised funds to support Dreamers' college aspirations, and advocated for an increased minimum wage from San Diego to St. Louis to Buffalo.

In Minnesota Thursday, Asamblea leaders plan a bus tour to the offices of U.S. Reps. Peterson, Paulsen, and Kline to advocate that they sign a congressional discharge petition to let HR-15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, come to the floor for a vote. Currently 191 legislators have signed a discharge petition, over the objections of House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. The petition requires a simple majority, or 218 votes, to pass the House. Many Congress-watchers believe HR-15 would pass if called to a vote on the House floor.

The tour will culminate with a march and rally at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis, where the group will call for a stop to the deportations that have torn apart families and communities.

While the Asamblea rally is expected to draw more than 200, other affiliate activities include the following: Capital Region Organizing Project will march in Sacramento, Cal.; Faith Coalition for the Common Good in Springfield, Ill. will meet with US Reps. Rodney Davis' office regarding pathway to citizenship; Gamaliel Metro Chicago is participating in Chicago mega-march; Indiana Organizing Project is meeting with U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski's office, and North Bay Organizing Project is sponsoring a march in Santa Rosa, Calif. among others.

Started in 1986 to train community and faith leaders to build political power and create organizations that unite people of diverse faiths and races, Gamaliel's diverse members in 50 affiliate organizations in 16 states apply their faith and values to the pursuit of equal opportunity for all, shared abundance, and stronger, more prosperous communities. More is online at www.gamaliel.org.