Regional Bus Tour for Immigration Reform to Hold Actions in La Grande and Ontario Today

DAY 3: Regional Bus Tour for Immigration Reform to Hold Actions in La Grande and Ontario Today

 

Madras, Ore.— Today, the March for ONE Oregon Bus Tour heads to La Grande for lunch at noon with local immigration reform supporters and then will travel to Ontario for a Rally and March at 5:00pm. 

During Day 2 of the March for ONE Oregon Bus Tour, riders woke up to some difficult news that Trinity Episcopal Church in Bend had a fire attributed to arson.  The group watched on TV as smoke and flames leaped from the same chapel that had hosted the group less than 24 hours earlier. Causa issued a statement late yesterday condemning the act of violence regardless of motive.  That press release can be read here: http://causaoregon.blogspot.com/2013/03/causa-condems-act-of-violence-against.html

At 11:30 am, the bus rolled into Hood River for a Community Meeting and Lunch. Members of the Hood River Community shared their personal stories and urged Congressman Greg Walden to support Comprehensive Immigration Reform with legalization for 11 million undocumented immigrants and a path to citizenship.  150 people turned out for the event including Neal Holste, Hood River Chief of Police, Mayor Arthur Babbits of Hood River, School Superintendent Charles Beck, Les Perkins, a Hood River County Commissioner, and local orchadist families, who are the backbone of the local economy.

At 5:30pm, the March for ONE Oregon Tour Bus arrived at Hermiston City Hall to an excited crowd of 400 Immigration Reform Supporters. Riders quickly joined those inside Council Chambers for a press conference. Following the press Conference, riders and supporters totaling well over 300 marched with candles from City Hall over 10 block during Hermiston’s rush hour to El Chaparral Shopping Center for a Celebration for Unity and Immigration Reform. 

400 supporters from the community attended the celebration to hear personal stories from several bus riders and from local Hermiston residents, share a meal and listen to music. Local groups in attendance included United Farm Worker of America, the Umatilla Morrow Alternatives, and the local Hispanic Advisory Committee recently formed at the City of Hermiston.  Bus Riders learned about how the City has recently passed a resolution in support of immigration reform, and will be traveling to the White House to receive recognition for the community-building work to integrate immigrants and build one community.  

 

Photos from Hood River can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151467106843334.1073741825.627833333&type=1&l=20558d2776

Photos from Hermiston can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151467442643334.1073741826.627833333&type=1&l=8eedd127e7

 

During the 5 day tour, riders will also connect with allies from Idaho and Washington State in stops in those states. A range of activities are planned for each stop along the route including rallies, press conferences, vigils, sharing stories, and meeting new allies.

 

Real-time updates including photos for the March for ONE Oregon Bus Tour can be found at the Tour's Tumblr Page at: www.oregonbustour.tumblr.com and at Causa's twitter page www.twitter.com/causaoregon hashtag #m1or 

 

For more details on the Oregon route, please see the schedule below:

 

"March for ONE Oregon" Bus Tour Schedule

March 5th

March for ONE Oregon Tour Rally and Send-off
10am Rally/Letter Writing at Social Justice Center
155 NE Irving, Bend
11:30am March to Trinity Episcopal Church
231 NW Idaho Ave, Bend
Bus Tour Send-off at 12 Noon

MADRAS, OREGON 5pm
Dinner to Keep Families Together * Dinner Provided
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church: 341 SW “J” Street, Madras

March 6th

HOOD RIVER, OREGON 12pm
Strengthening Our ONE Community * Lunch Provided
Riverside Community Church: 317 State St, Hood River

HERMISTON, OREGON 5:30pm
Celebration for Unity and Immigration Reform * Dinner Provided
March beginning at 5:30pm Hermiston City Hall
Dinner at 6:30pm El Chaparral Shopping Center: 305 SW 11th St, Hermiston

March 7th [TODAY]

LA GRANDE, OREGON 12:30pm
Uniting for Home Grown Prosperity through Immigration Reform
Rally at Congressman Walden’s office: 1211 Washington Avenue, La Grande

ONTARIO, OREGON 5pm
March and Dinner to build Welcoming Communities * Dinner Provided
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church: 829 SW 2nd Ave, Ontario

March 8th

NAMPA, IDAHO 12pm
Northwest Immigration Reform Bus Tour Stop * Lunch Provided
Hispanic Cultural Center: 315 Stampede Drive

BURLEY, IDAHO 7pm
Northwest Immigration Reform Bus Tour Stop * Dinner Provided
Location TBA

March 9th

WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON 1pm
Northwest Immigration Reform Bus Tour Stop
Jefferson Park, S 9th Ave and Malcolm Street, Walla Walla

 

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