In this renewed energy to push for an overhaul of our unjust immigration system, the Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC), which brings together 60 organizations in the 4 southern border states, will launch the Revitalize Not Militarize Campaign to ensure that border communities are included in the debate over immigration reform.
“The border is more than a line, it is the home of 15 million people, it is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy, and it is a unique cultural and historical space that is sacred to many who live here. The border enforcement bills that have been proposed as part of immigration reform would result in nothing more than a militarization of our communities, and is not what we need or want” states Pedro Ríos, Director of the American Friends Service Committee’s San Diego office which is a member organization of the SBCC.
“Through this campaign, border residents will tell the nation what it means to live in the border region, how militarization has negatively impacted families and residents here, and why we must broaden our perspective about the border,” states Elizabeth Maldonado Robinson who speaks for the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice which is also a member of the SBCC.
As part of this campaign, two projects will be launched along the southern border simultaneously.
Project 1: The Border Quilt
Inspired by the AIDS Quilt, the Border Quilt will express how militarization has resulted in losses for border residents. On 2’ x 4’ cloth panels, border residents will tell stories of lives lost, loss of civil rights, loss of security and loss of humanity. Cloth panels will be created across the four southern border states and will be sent to Washington D.C. to be installed during the third week of November. A manual has been created for all who want to participate which can be downloaded here. and a sample panel will be on display at the press conference.
On Friday, November 1st, Alliance San Diego will host the community and provide space and materials for producing quilts from 4-7 pm.
Project 2: Flower Power Social Media Project
Border residents are being asked to use an orange Gerbera daisy as a symbol of revitalization to contrast with examples of border militarization in their communities. The objective is to take a picture either holding the daisy or placing the daisy near an example of militarization such as Border Patrol vehicles, agents, checkpoints, signs or whichever form it is manifested in their communities.
Participants will be asked to send the photo to info@revitalizenotmilitarize.org and to mention details about where the photo was taken so that the extent of militarization can be documented on a webpage. A manual is also available for more details and can be downloaded here. Two large Flower Power images will be unveiled at the press conference, including one with a border agent who has participated in this action.
The progress of these two projects will be documented and shared through the campaign website Revitalize not militarize.org and the campaign’s social networks:
- Facebook: Revitalize Not Militarize
- Instagram: RevitalizeNotMilitarize
- Twitter: #RevitalizeNotMilitarize
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The Southern Border Communities Coalition (SBCC), is made up of the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (CA), Border Action Network (AZ), Arizona Sonora Border Coalition (AZ), Taskforce for Immigrant Advocacy & Services (NM), and Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network (TX).
