Causa to Hold Leaders Assembly with Portland Mayoral Candidates Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith on Saturday

Causa to Hold Leaders Assembly with Portland Mayoral Candidates Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith on Saturday

Portland, Ore.-- Join Cause, Oregon’s Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization, for an assembly in Portland featuring Portland Mayoral Candidates Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith. We will discuss important issues that impact the Portland Latino Community.

Causa Oregon Assembly with Special Guests Portland Mayoral Candidates Smith and Hales
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location:
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
1704 NE 43rd Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97213

Special Guests: Portland Mayoral Candidates Charlie Hales and Jefferson Smith.

Issues to be discussed important to the Latino Community in Portland include:
• Drivers License
• Permanent Legal Residency in the U.S.
• Naturalization Programs
• Access to public schools and universities
• Paid Sick Days
• Immigrant Integration Programs
• Local Police Relationship with Immigration Customs Enforcement

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About Causa Oregon
Causa, Oregon's Statewide Immigrant Rights Organization is the largest Latina and Latino civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

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Eugene Assembly to Address Public Safety and Crucial Services for Families

MEDIA ADVISORY
January 17, 2012

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director 503-269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director, 503-488-0263

Eugene Assembly to Address Public Safety and Crucial Services for Families

Eugene, Ore. -- Join members of Faith, Labor, and Community Organizations and Education sectors of Lane County on Tuesday, January 24th for a Leaders’ Assembly at the First United Methodist Church in Eugene. The assembly will address two important issues to members of Lane County including Driver's License Access Restoration for all Oregon Residents and Restoration of Funding to Centro LatinoAmericano, an organization that provides crucial services to working families in Lane County and the Southern Willamette Valley.

Lane County Leaders' Assembly
Building an Alliance for the Common Good

Date & Time:
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Location:
First United Methodist Church
1376 Olive Street
Eugene, OR 97401-3939

During the assembly, members of the community will offer testimony and urge the Oregon State Legislature to create safer roads by restoring driver’s licenses for all Oregon residents regardless of immigration status. They will also call on Governor Kitzhaber to provide administrative relief until the Legislature passes legislation.

Another important issue of focus of the event and of critical importance to Lane County, is the urgent funding restoration for Centro LatinoAmericano. Centro LatinoAmericano is the single largest and most established community-based organization in Lane County (and the southern Willamette Valley) serving the needs of low-income individuals and families.

On June 30, 2011, Centro LatinoAmericano lost its main source of funding for crucial human services putting families and individuals at risk. This reduction of services has left families with fewer resources to address their most basic needs--food, heat, and shelter-- that are crucial to assist them with becoming more self-reliant, and to protect them from violence and abuse. Centro LatinoAmericano serves more than 2,000 Lane County Latino families per year.

Centro LatinoAmericano (Centro) was formed in 1972 by a group of activist Chicano students from Lane Community College and the University of Oregon to meet the needs of Mexicano immigrant families in Lane County. In 1978, Centro became a bilingual and multicultural non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization, and has continued to serve as the main avenue for the social and civic integration of the Latino population in Lane County.

Invited guests to the assembly include elected officials from City, County, and State Government.

Those bringing a delegation from a Church, Synagogue, Union Local, Public School, Community Organization and University, needing to RSVP  or needing more information should contact Causa's Lane County Organizer Ranfis Villatoro at (971) 242-9964

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Causa, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Organization, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

RESOURCES:

Flyer: http://www.causaoregon.org/event-flyers/2012-lane-co-leaders-assembly-eng.pdf

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Leaders' Assembly in Eugene on January 24th

Lane County Leaders' Assembly

Faith, Labor, Community Organizations and Education sectors
Building an Alliance for the Common Good

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m.- 7:45pm
Location: First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street, Eugene, OR 97401-3939

Issues:
Safer Roads for Lane County Residents: Ensure Driver’s License Access for ALL county residents
Social Services for Working Class Families in Lane County: Urgent Funding Restoration for Centro LatinoAmericano

Invited guests include elected officials from City, County, and State Government

If you are bringing a delegation from a Church, Synagogue, Union Local, Public School, Community Organization and University or for more information please contact Lane County Causa Oregon organizer Ranfis Villatoro at (971) 242-9964

RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/279594432084250/


FLYER IN ENGLISH: http://www.causaoregon.org/event-flyers/2012-lane-co-leaders-assembly-eng.pdf
FLYER EN ESPANOL: http://www.causaoregon.org/event-flyers/2012-lane-co-leaders-assembly-span.pdf

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Rep. Blumenauer Meets with Latino Community Members in NE Portland

November 10, 2011

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)

Portland, Ore.—On Wednesday, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR, 3rd District) met with members of the Latino Community at a NE Portland Church. The meeting was one of many organized Leaders' Assemblies taking place around Oregon where members of the community talk to their elected leaders about issues important to them.

Among the issues raised during the hour long meeting with Congressman Blumenauer included Legalization and the Dream Act, Making Prosecutorial Discretion Work, Local Law Enforcement and ICE Collaboration on Immigration Enforcement, Uniting families (hardship waivers for the 3-/10-year bars), Immigration Detainers/ICE Holds, Detention Reform, and Customs and Border Protection Reforms.

Leaders' Assembly Participants

During opening remarks, Causa’s Executive Director Francisco Lopez highlighted the support Congressman Blumenauer has given to the DREAM Act, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America's Security and Prosperity Act (H.R. 4321, CIR ASAP) and the Family Reunification Act. He also praised the Congressman for a recent letter he signed on with other legislators addressed to President Obama asking for the elimination of the Secure Communities Program.

Several members of the NE Portland Community also had a chance to tell their personal stories to Congressman Blumenauer. Among the issues they have been touched by in their personal lives includes the difficulty for people to obtain citizenship through the current broken immigration system, having their families torn apart by programs like Secure Communities, the need for passage of the DREAM Act so children of immigrants can realize their full potential and the need for restoration of driver's licenses so that familes can take their children to the doctor and drive to work so they can support their familes.

During his address, Congressman Blumenauer highlighted the special skills and contributions that immigrants bring to the United States and their importance in the fabric of the community. Blumenauer confirmed that he would continue working towards positive solutions for immigrant families in 2012 and would fight against anything in congress that represents hate, division or right-wing anti-immigrant ideology seeking to destroy the values of this country.

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Over 1500 turn out to Leaders’ Assembly in Portland

Over 1500 turn out to Leaders’ Assembly in Portland

Portland, Ore.--Yesterday evening, it was standing room only as over 1500 people attended the Leaders’ Assembly at the Portland Lutheran School in Portland. The event was sponsored by Parish Health Promoter Program and CAUSA Oregon. Among those attending included Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Clackamas County Director of Social Services, Brenda Durbin.

Issues discussed during the evening included legislation affecting access to Oregon Driver’s Licenses (Senate Bill 845) and Tuition Equity (Senate Bill 742). Individuals gave personal testimony asking elected officials to support removing unnecessary barriers to obtaining an Oregon Driver's License and buying car insurance for the safety and well being of their communities. Likewise, they called for passage of Tuition Equity that will make access to affordable and quality higher education possible for all Oregon students, regardless of their status.

Those in attendance also committed to rent 6 buses and attend the May 1st March and Rally commemorating International Worker’s Day in Salem. In addition, those that attended donated over $800 to go toward work being done to pass Driver’s License Access Restoration and Tuition Equity Legislation.

Last week, Oregon's Tuition Equity Bill (SB742) cleared the Oregon State Senate Education Committee and is expected to be voted on by the full Senate as early as this Thursday. CAUSA is encouraging all constituents to continue calling their State Senator and urge them to vote "Yes". Contact information for State Senators can be found by linking here: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/ or by calling 1-800-332-2313 and asking for them by name.

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Elected Officials in Lane County Make Public Committment to over 800 Community Members and Leaders in Eugene

NEWS RELEASE

February 11, 2011

Contact:

Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694

Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Elected Officials in Lane County Make Public Committment to over 800 Community Members and Leaders in Eugene

Local officials commit to pushing for passage of Tuition Equity and Drivers License Access Legislation

Eugene, Ore—On Thursday evening, over 800 Lane County leaders representing the Catholic, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Mennonite, Quaker, and the evangelical faith community, educational institutions and community organizations turned out for a Leaders’ Assembly in Eugene.

Those present asked local elected officials from the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and the Lane County Board of Commissioners to work with CAUSA at the Oregon State Legislature for the restoration of driver's license and tuition equity.

By the close of the assembly, Mayor of Springfield, Christine Lundberg, Mayor of Eugene, Kitty Piercy, Lane County Commissioners, Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson and City Councilor of Springfield, Sherri Moore all committed to help in the effort to pass legislation for Driver’s License Access Restoration and Tuition Equity.

During the course of the evening, several members of the Latino immigrant community shared their personal stories on the struggles they face on a daily basis due to not having access to in-state tuition and not being able to renew or obtain a driver’s license in the State of Oregon.

Jessica Garcia, a High School Student from Eugene, has an uncertain future, as without tuition equity, she won’t be able to attend college. She told her story, spoke about her dreams of becoming a microbiologist and what tuition equity legislation would mean to herself and her family. Hear her story by linking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvy126u2jE 

Tuition Equity legislation creates state policy that would allow all students, who have graduated from high school or received their GED in the State of Oregon, the opportunity to pay in-state tuition to continue post-secondary education regardless of immigration status.

Also during the evening, a Latino Immigrant, who said he was "undocumented", told his story about his personal loss, coming to the United States, his achievements, and how legislation restoring driver’s licenses for ALL Oregonians-- regardless of their citizenship status-- would affect his life. Hear his story by linking here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbJiOnjj1oo

Legislation restoring driver’s license access would eliminate unnecessary barriers for individuals to legally drive or purchase insurance and subsequent unintended consequences in our communities created by the Oregon Legislature in 2008.

"The danger is that we will have 31,000 students in Oregon who will not be able to go to college and that we will have thousands of undocumented immigrants driving in the streets of Oregon without drivers licenses and car insurance," said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA.  “The Oregon State Legislature needs to take immediate action and correct this by passing Tuition Equity legislation and legislation restoring driver’s licenses.”

The assembly in Eugene is just one of the many public gatherings CAUSA and their allies are holding around Oregon to bolster support for key legislative issues being pushed in the Oregon State Legislature. CAUSA will continue to reach out to elected officials in communities around Oregon to see that the needs of the Latino and Immigrant Communities are met.

On Tuesday, February 15^th at 11:30am, CAUSA will hold a Legislative Briefing at the Oregon State Capitol. For more details, contact Erik Sorensen at 503-488-0263.

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit www.causaoregon.org

Photos:
Slideshow http://s516.photobucket.com/albums/u329/CAUSAOregon/Lane%20County%20Leaders%20Assembly/?albumview=slideshow


Related News:

• Local Politicians Support Oregon Immigration Reform Bills http://kezi.com/news/local/204031 

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Elected officials from Lane County to attend Leaders' Assembly in Eugene

MEDIA ADVISORY
February 3, 2011

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Ranfis Villatoro, Lane County Organizer (971)242-9964
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Elected officials from Lane County to attend Leaders' Assembly at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eugene

Eugene, Ore-On February 10th, Lane County leaders' representing the Catholic, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Mennonite, Quaker, and the evangelical faith community, educational institutions and community organizations will ask local elected officials from the cities of Eugene and Springfield, and the Lane County Board of Commissioners to work with CAUSA at the Oregon State Legislature for the Restoration of Driver's License and In-State Tuition. Over 400 leaders from Lane County and surrounding areas are expected to attend.

Local officials who have committed to attend the assembly include Mayor of Springfield, Christine Lundberg, Mayor of Eugene, Kitty Piercy, City Councilor of Eugene, Andrea Ortiz, and Lane County Commissioners, Rob Handy and Pete Sorenson

Lane County Leaders' Assembly
February 10, 2011 at 6:00pm
First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
1050 East 23rd St.
Eugene, Oregon

Sponsors include St. Marks Catholic Church (Eugene), St.Mary's Catholic Church (Eugene), St.Alice Catholic Church (Sprinfield), St. Helens Catholic Church (Junction City), United Church of Christ-First Congregational, Eugene Methodist, Mennonites, Quakers, Eugene Friends, University of Oregon MeChA, and Community Alliance of Lane County (CALC)

Issues to be discussed:

Driver's License: Restore access to an Oregon state driver's license. CAUSA will advocate to eliminate unnecessary barriers for individuals to legally drive or purchase insurance and subsequent unintended consequences in our communities created by the Oregon Legislature in 2008.

In-State Tuition: Create state policy that allows all students who have graduated from high school or received their GED in the State of Oregon the opportunity to pay in-state tuition to continue post-secondary education regardless of immigration status.

For more information on the event, please contact Ranfis Villatoro, CAUSA's Lane County Organizer, at (971) 242-9964





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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

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Republican Commissioner from Central Oregon County Makes Public Commitment to CAUSA and Recursos Latinos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2010

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Republican Commissioner from Central Oregon County Makes Public Commitment to CAUSA and Recursos Latinos
 
Redmond, Ore--On Thursday, Recursos Latinos, a central Oregon based Latino lead organization, and CAUSA held a Leaders' Assembly in Redmond. Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney was invited to attend as a special guest.

During the assembly, members of the Latino community gave personal testimony to an auditorium filled with 200 people about the pain and struggle they themselves and their families face. The poor economic situation in Central Oregon, the nation's broken immigration system, and their lack of access to affordable healthcare and quality education were just some of the issues discussed during the evening--moving several people to tears.

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