Christian Peacemaker Teams’ partner organization, Borderlinks, is calling for applicants to participate in its Solidarity Against Arizona Senate Bill 1070 delegation 26-31 July 2010.  These dates intentionally span the date when SB1070 is scheduled to go into effect (29 July), which criminalizes lack of documentation and authorizes state and local law enforcement to crack down on those sheltering, hiring, and transporting undocumented immigrants.

Delegates will learn about the context in which SB1070 came about, connect with people in Arizona working against SB1070, and take part in actions planned by local change-makers on the 29th.  Other parts of the delegation may include

•            Speaking with migrant workers in Tucson to hear their perspective

•            Meeting with founders of the Sanctuary Movement, which originated in Tucson in the 1980s

•            Visiting with immigration enforcement—Border Patrol and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—and visiting the Border Wall to learn about the militarization of the border

•            Recovering migrant belongings in the desert near migrant crossing

•            Observing federal court proceedings of migrants about to be deported (Operation Streamline)

•            Strategizing with leaders working for immigration reform in Arizona

Participants will return home with practical resources and insights to engage their community members around the divisive issue of immigration.

Delegates should arrive in Tucson by 5:00 pm on Monday, 26 July and will depart Saturday morning, 31 July 2010.  Those wishing to take an optional trip to Mexico on 26 July 2010 should bring passports and arrive Sunday night/Monday morning.

Cost:    $300/person 

Cost includes lodging, meals, transportation, and programming.

For more information or to register, contact:

Rachel.Winch@gmail.com OR education@borderlinks.org / 520-628-8263

CPT constituents should inform Mark Frey, markefrey@cpt.org, if they are planning to participate in the delegation.

Between 2004 and 2007, CPT's Borderlands project periodically partnered with Borderlinks and other groups along the US/Mexico border in order to reduce the number of migrant deaths in the border region, advocate for just and comprehensive US immigration reform, and call for compassionate treatment of the immigrant "stranger."

BorderLinks is an international leader in experiential education that raises awareness and inspires action around global political economics.  As a binational organization, BorderLinks brings people together to build bridges of solidarity across North and Latin American borders and promote intercultural understanding and respect.  www.borderlinks.org