Letter to Community from Yanely Rivas, Causa Coalition Coordinator
Dear Causa supporters and community
members,
Four months after the defeat of Measure
88 (Oregon driver card), organizations from across the state quickly formed a
loose coalition to respond to anti-immigrant petitions filed by the extremist
nativist group, Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR), and their allies.
United by our shared values around immigrant and racial justice, the coalition
was determined to defeat all anti-immigrant proposals that aimed to undermine
the wellbeing of thousands of immigrants and their families in our state.
Inspired by the opportunity to help
weave diverse communities together on the principle of respect, understanding,
and the power of unity, I joined Causa as the Coalition Coordinator a year ago.
During this time, the One Oregon Coalition has grown from 20 to 65 diverse
partners that include labor, faith, environmental, reproductive health, Latinx,
Asian Pacific Islander, Black, immigrant and refugee rights, rural, urban,
LGBTQ, and economic justice organizations. Collectively, we were able to defeat
all anti-immigrant proposals from qualifying onto Oregon’s 2016 ballot, engaged
our respective bases around anti-immigrant threats through the “United Against Hate”
campaign, worked with Latinx organizations to build leadership capacity, built
relationships with groups that historically have not worked within the
immigrant rights movement, and launched our website (OneOregon.org)!
As a first generation Xicana daughter
to migrant parents from Mexico, it’s been an honor working with Causa and the
One Oregon coalition to defend our immigrant and refugee communities. Despite
the heightened extremist attacks towards low-income, racialized, and gendered
communities, I truly believe we are living in a period with extraordinary
potential for positive change. I know we, as traditionally marginalized
communities, Somos Luchadores, we are fighters. Luchando a cada amanecer bajo un nuevo sol
y soñando con esperanza por las noches negras. Our resilience is what gives me faith that we will persist. We
will protect. We will win.
This is just the beginning for our
coalition. With that said, I’m beyond excited to introduce Causa’s and One
Oregon’s new Coalition Coordinator. I have complete faith in Joel Iboa’s
ability, commitment, and passion to carry and cultivate this work forward with
you all.
¡La Lucha sigue!
In solidarity,
Yanely
Rivas
While we’ll miss Yanely, we are glad to have Joel Iboa join us next
month as Coalition Coordinator.
Joel is a son of immigrants
from Zacatecas, Mexico and was born and raised in Eugene. He majored in
sociology with a concentration in crime and delinquency from the University of
Oregon. Honing his skills in MEChA and at CAER, Joel entered the statewide
environmental justice movement as the Environmental Justice and Community Outreach Manager for Beyond Toxics advocating for Oregonians of color with
contaminated air and water in their communities. He has championed increased
protections for farm and forestry workers who are subject to poor working
conditions and chemical exposure. Joel serves as a Human Rights Commissioner
for the City of Eugene and as the youngest appointed Member for the Governors
Environmental Justice Task Force. He brings a deep desire to a shine a light on
all the threats posed to immigrants in Oregon, especially those lurking in the
shadows
3:22 PM
Causa Oregon
