This gathering today at 4pm at the YMCA for people working on immigration issues. BD<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Ri Diaz</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:xpenn.diaz@gmail.com">xpenn.diaz@gmail.com</a>></span><br>
Date: Thu, Jan 13, 2011 at 4:14 PM<br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><br><div> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse;">Dear Friends:</span></div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">I am writing to invite you to two forums between individuals working on immigration issues in Champaign County. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
Please consider joining us on the following dates:</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;">Tuesday, <font size="4">J<font color="#000099">anuary 18th</font></font> from 4:00 to 5:30PM</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=university+ymca+champaign&fb=1&gl=us&hq=university+ymca&hnear=Champaign,+IL&cid=15979210432205234870" target="_blank">University YMCA </a> <span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 18px;">1001 South Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820</span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;">Tuesday, <font color="#ff0000" size="4">February 1st </font><span style="font-size: 13px;">from 4:00 to 5:30PM</span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">University YMCA, <span style="border-collapse: separate; line-height: 18px;">1001 South Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">
<br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Over the past year, I have talked to a number of individuals, some long-time residents and some new, who work in any number of areas - community service, religion, education, social justice activism, etc - that address the issues of immigration and immigrant rights. It is apparent that some county residents have yet to meet each other; many seem to feel that they are alone or have activities that would be of mutual interest and to their clients/constituencies.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">The first purpose of the open forum would therefore be to introduce ourselves to one another, to exchange cards, strategies, successes, and failures so that we can <b>renew</b> the positive spirit of immigration that moves us all to contribute . </div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">The second purpose is to find <b>commonalities,</b> build bridges, and possibly formulate a common vision and a broader coalition.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"> </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">The last year has had curtailed visas, more legal enforcement, and more negativity towards all immigrants. Neglected have been the many <b>contributions</b> that we make to help our society better. The few working in services or advocacy may yet have to defend their positive labor. Our combined effort can maintain the language and tone of discussion with the local public that has supported us in the past. Importantly, even a loose coordination in framing the issues could sway those that have begun to listen to negative rhetoric.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">To fully explore both purposes, I have arranged for two meetings. The first will be held at the University YMCA on Tuesday, January 18th from 4:00 to 5:30PM, and the second will be held two weeks later at the same place and at the same time on February 1st.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Please let me know via email or phone if you will attend the <b>Forums on Immigration</b> meetings on January 18 and February 1st. I look forward to your presence and insights.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;">Sincerely,</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 13px;"><br></div></span><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse;">Ricardo Díaz</span><div>
<br></div><div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse;"></span>cell # <font color="#cc0000">217 979-0255</font><div><br></div><div><font color="#cc0000"></font>.-.-.-.-.-.--.-.--.-.--...-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-<br>
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</div><div>Notes: </div><div>Do pass along this notice. The sessions are open to all those interested in bettering the climate for immigrants in the area; you do not have to represent an organization to attend and no organization need be cited unless its objectives or board have had a chance to consider participation in this positive effort. <font color="#009900">Participation may be discrete if you so wish</font>.</div>
<div> </div><div>Sessions will be held in English and we welcome all efforts to make them multi-lingual.</div><div><br></div><div>Do bring business cards and flyers to start making each other aware of offered programs, trainings, issues.<br>
</div><div>Parking around campus is strictly enforced at the meters but all university parking lots that don't say "Reserved 24 hours" are OK places to park after 4 PM.</div><div><span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="padding-right: 0.2em; font-weight: bold;"><span>Public Transit route</span>:</span> <span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?ftid=0x880cd73e63b29127:0x9f81d31689dc46e9&q=type:transit_station:%22Wright+%26+Chalmers%22&gl=us&ved=0CE8QgQVIAA&sa=X&ei=OIYnTb79J4TWNMTe9LsG" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 204);" target="_blank">Wright & Chalmers</a> <span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);"> </span><span><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/en_us/mapfiles/transit/iw/7/bus.png" style="border-width: 0px; min-height: 15px; width: 15px; vertical-align: -3px;"> <span><div title="1" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">1</span></div>, </span><span><div title="4" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">4</span></div>, </span><span><div title="9A" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">9A</span></div>, </span><span><div title="13" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">13</span></div>, </span><span><div title="14" style="display: inline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">14</span></div>, </span><span><div title="22" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">22</span></div></span><span>, …</span></span></span></span></div>
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</div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.<br>303 W. Locust St.<br>Urbana, IL 61801<br><a href="mailto:briandolinar@gmail.com">briandolinar@gmail.com</a><br>