LUNCHTIME FOR CHANGE VIRTUAL RALLY-  STOP THE TEARS

Where: Anywhere

When: December 2, 12:00 - 1:00 PM (or whenever you can participate on Dec. 2nd!)

Why: In response to the violent attacks on asylum seekers at the US / Mexico border last weekend, Families Belong Together is calling for a weekend of emergency protests and actions on December 1st & 2nd. This virtual rally is part of the weekend of action.

In today's digital world, virtual activists are essential for the success of a movement. Thank you for raising your voice and being a part of our community!

ACTION 1: TWEET ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF ASYLUM SEEKERS

There is a lot of confusion right now about what it means to be an asylum seeker, and whether asylum seekers are following a legal path. Copy and paste the following message to share it on Twitter and your social networks. In doing so, you are spreading education on this topic and showing your support for asylum seekers:

It is legal to ask for asylum. "An asylum seeker is someone who is also seeking international protection from dangers in his or her home country, but whose claim for refugee status hasn’t been determined legally." https://www.rescue.org/article/migrants-asylum-seekers-refugees-and-immigrants-whats-difference via @theIRC

ACTION 2: DONATE TO PROVIDE DIRECT AID TO THE CARAVAN AT TIJUANA

Border Angels is a well-established group that has been working on human rights issues on the Mexico-US border for over 20 years. They are currently collecting donations to help meet the basic needs of people in the Tijuana caravan.

You can donate to Border Angels directly, or purchase items from their wish lists here:

https://www.borderangels.org/campaigns/support-caravan-tijuana/

ACTION 3: JOIN REPRESENTATIVE LEE IN CALLING FOR UN INVESTIGATORS

On November 27th, Representative Barbara Lee sent the following Tweet (https://twitter.com/BLeeForCongress/status/1067504636339331072):

"It’s clear after this weekend’s atrocities that United Nations inspectors must be sent to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border."

There is recent precedent for requesting UN investigators! In September, the United Nations sent investigators to Italy to investigate their response to a refugee crisis-- specifically reports of racism and turning away NGO boats of refugees. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/un-human-rights-italy-austria-refugee-santimigrant-violence-a8531886.html) The violent response to the caravan in Tijuana cannot go unanswered. Join Representative Lee in her request. Contact your elected officials, and ask that they request a UN investigation into the violent response to the Tijauna caravan and asylum seekers at the Mexican border.

You can find the contact information for your elected officials at this website. Tweet, call, e-mail, and/or write a letter to make your voice heard!

http://myreps.datamade.us/#/?results_level=local,county,state,federal

ACTION 4: THANK REPRESENTATIVE LEE

Thank Representative Lee for her statement, and urge her to keep pushing for accountability for the actions against the Tijuana caravan. Here is a Tweet you can copy/paste:

@BLeeForCongress Thank you for your statement declaring the need for UN inspectors in response to the actions against the Tijuana caravan. Please keep raising your voice for accountability for human rights violations against asylum seekers!

For a bonus action, visit her contact page and scroll to the bottom for her phone number and mailing addresses. Then, call and leave a message of support, or write her a thank you card!

ACTION 5: EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THESE UN GUIDELINES

This is the document released by the UN Human Rights Council giving guidance on human rights at international borders. On page 1 of the document, the document states:

"International borders are not zones of exclusion or exception for human rights obligations. States are entitled to exercise jurisdiction at their international borders, but they must do so in light of their human rights obligations. This means that the human rights of all persons at international borders must be respected in the pursuit of border control..."

Take some time to read at least part of this document, and bookmark it (or print it!) for future reference. In order to be a steady ally and speak up for the human rights of asylum seekers, you must know what rights asylum seekers are expected to have. Educate yourself, so that you can speak with more clarity and power as this movement continues.

https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Migration/OHCHR_Recommended_Principles_Guidelines.pdf

THANK YOU!

Whether you took a moment to share a single tweet, or invested time, energy, and/or money into doing most or all of these actions... you HAVE made a difference today. Thank you!