In contrast to statehouses from Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, and across the United States, California has taken an inclusive stand on immigration with ACR 76 which was chaptered into California law in 2009. ACR 76 calls for all Californians to acknowledge December 17th as a Day of Inclusion in recognition and appreciation of the priceless contributions of all immigrants to the greatness of the United States and especially California.
On December 6th, California Assemblymember Mike Eng (Los Angeles), California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, former California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso, many statewide elected officials and over 45 civic rights organizations from thoroughout California will be gathering at the California State Railroad Museum for a "Day of Inclusion."
Among the speakers, Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations Sacramento Valley Chapter will speak on the Islamphobic year in review and the aspirations of the local Muslim community. Barry Broad, Chair, Jewish Community Relations Council will be calling on all Californians to fight back the fear that led to the defamation of NBA star Omar Caspi and the attacks on local synagogues by educating our society on anti-Semitism. Arturo Venegas Jr., former chief of the Sacramento Police Department and project director of the Law Enforcement Engagement Initiative will shed light on the scapegoating of the Latino community and law enforcement issues rising from recent immigration policies. Sacramento NAACP President, Betty Williams and Florin JACL President, Marielle Tsukamoto will also be on hand to say a few words.
This one of two statewide Day of Inclusion events being held this year in response to recent legislation that promotes inclusion and the appreciation of California's immigrant heritage by calling for all Californians to embrace our shared differences but common goals.
"A Day of Inclusion may serve us well. Any American who has been singled out, interned or excluded has an investment in the immigration debate; it was through the struggle of expatriates in the land of indigenous Americans that the United States came to be." says Cristina Mora, a California Latina activist who resides in Elk Grove, California.
CA State Railroad Museum
125 "I" Street (corner of Second and "I" Streets in Old Sacramento)
Sacramento, CA 95814
More information can be found at http://www.dayofinclusion.org/
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