Fasting, denying oneself food has been done for spiritual reasons & political reasons. Today, more than 50 immigrant community members, clergy, NY City Council Members and advocates will go on a 72 hour fast to demand comprehensive immigration reform in 2010, among them are Puerto Rican Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez.

The fast is being paired with an education campaign that highlights the contributions immigrants have made to New York City and the United States, and illustrate the need for changes in immigration policy on both a national and local level.

Make the Road NY and New Sanctuary Coalition members will also be conducting a massive community education and outreach effort to engage thousands of community members in the national campaign to pass comprehensive immigration reform, the local campaign to end New York’s collaboration with immigration enforcement at Rikers Island and to repudiate the signing of SB 1070 into law by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R-AZ).

The demands of the fasters and their supporters are:

1. JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM
2. STOP DEPORTATIONS THAT TEAR FAMILIES APART
3. END NEW YORK’S COLLABORATION WITH ICE AT RIKER’S ISLAND
4. PASS THE DREAM ACT

Today’s focus is Our History.

Mala’s going to try and get to some of the fast events in the coming days (as long as my 3 year old partner complies)