Ohio is Our Home, We Are Here to Stay; #OHereToStay
Cleveland, OH – Yesterday, President Trump took the cruel and outrageous step of rescinding the DACA program that has allowed so many young people to live their lives in peace and contribute to their fullest potentials.
At 7pm on September 7, 2017, NE Ohio immigrants and allies will come together at Market Square Park in Ohio City for a candlelight vigil in support of DACA, the Dream Act, and all immigrants–and against heartless deportations.
Local Dreamers will give testimony. The vigil is open to the public and press.
WHAT: Candlelight Vigil in Support of DACA, Dreamers, and Immigrants
WHEN: Thursday, September 7th at from 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Market Square Park, W. 25th and Lorain, Ohio City (Cleveland)
WHO: Dreamers, other NE Ohio immigrants, and allies
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
- Hear from DACA recipients about how the policy has impacted their lives, souls, and families — and what comes next now that Trump has ended it
- Hear from one DACA-eligible teenager who will no longer be able to apply because of Trump’s decision
- Songs selected by DACA beneficiaries
- Visuals: Immigrants and allies holding candles as the sun sets, demonstrating their support Ohio immigrants
View the Facebook Event page here. Find other events in Ohio and across the US here.
BACKGROUND:
This Tuesday, President Donald Trump took the cowardly way out and sent his Attorney General to deliver life-altering bad news to 800,000 Americans with DACA. After five years of living “normal” lives, they will once again become undocumented, unless Congress does its job and passes the Dream Act. Governor Kasich responded by declaring that Dreamers are “welcome in Ohio” and Congress should “Fix it. Get it done. Lead.”
At 7pm on September 7, 2017, NE Ohio immigrants and allies will come together at Market Square Park in Ohio City for a candlelight vigil in support of DACA, the Dream Act, and all immigrants–and against heartless deportations.
By ending DACA, Trump is putting in limbo the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of young people whose only home is the United States. Approximately 5,000 Ohioans have DACA, and an additional 4,000 could become eligible if the program remained in place. These Ohioans contribute more than $14 million in state and local taxes every year, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.
Starting in March 2018, 30,000 Americans with DACA will lose the work permits and identity documents they need to live their lives each month. In addition to the young men and women with DACA who will lose their status, think about the youngest among them – those children finally coming of age to be able to apply for DACA status – who will be completely left out. For more on how DACA works and who qualified, see this piece from Vox.
That is why northeast Ohioans–both immigrants and native-born–are coming together as a community to stand in support of all immigrants who make Ohio their home. During the vigil, Dreamers will tell their stories and talk about what DACA has meant for their lives.
All are welcome at the event, and you can follow along on Twitter via #OHereToStay. The vigil is sponsored by DreamActivist Ohio, Cleveland Jobs With Justice, Indivisible CLE, LOIRA, Ohio’s Voice, InterReligious Task Force, Greater Cleveland Immigrant Support Network, Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus, and Eleonor Ramirez.
View the Facebook Event page here. Find other events happening in Ohio and across the nation here.
