RSVP to ARMAS Act Advocacy Days: Hybrid, September 29-30
The Episcopal Church is a participant in an upcoming advocacy day related to arms trafficking in the Haiti, Mexico and Latin America. We work closely with the primary organizer, the Quixote Center, particularly on advocacy on foreign policy to Haiti. We hope select Episcopalians will be able to join this effort virtually or in person, and our Office of Government Relations team will be participating in Washington.
The Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act was introduced by House Representative Joaquín Castro (D-TX-20) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT-5) in the Senate. You would be joining 22 advocacy, research, faith-based, and international organizations to demand that the U.S flow of weapons stop to Haiti, Mexico, and Latin America.
By filling out the RSVP form, you are confirming your participation in the Advocacy 101 Training (9/29) and the Lobby Visits (9/30). Lobby visits will be scheduled considering your state of origin, Congressional district, and availability.
To streamline the matching process, please fill out this form by September 11th, 11:59 pm EST. After that, we will reach out to assign time, member, and location (virtual or in person).
English: RSVP to ARMAS Act Advocacy Days: Hybrid, September 29-30
Español: Registro – ARMAS Días de Incidencia Sept. 29-30
Kreyol Ayisyen: RSVP pou Jounen Defans Lwa ARMAS: Hybrid, 29-30 septanm
Alan
Dear Haiti Friends,
Below my signature please see information forwarded by Alan Yarborough from the Episcopal Church’s Office of Governmental Relations. The Quixote Center is a well-regarded institution focused on human rights advocacy, with a special interest in Haiti. Their day of advocacy against gun trafficking is an attempt to mitigate the violence and chaos caused by the smuggling of weapons from the US to the rest of the world primarily via Haiti but also through Mexico and other parts of Latin America. If you are in the greater DC area, please consider participating in person. You may also participate virtually.
More government advocacy — the effort is still ongoing to get the Senate to bring the bill about TPS status for Haitians, SB4814, to the Senate floor. Deportation flights have recently increased to weekly, bringing hundreds of the 300,000 Haitians who will potentially be deported to Cap Haitien, a city which does not have the capacity to absorb more refugees after a steady stream of thousands of internal refugees from the south. It’s not too late to contact your Senators, urging them to pressure their colleagues to allow the bill to come up for debate and a vote. Remember that the House has already passed its version of the bill with a bipartisan vote.
And another way to support Haiti — help artists stay afloat and support Vassar College’s school and clinic in Chermaitre, Haiti. Their annual in-person art show and sale takes place September 25-26 at Vassar College in the College Center. The on-line auction begins September 19. Art work is available on their website year-round. For more information, see www.thehaitiproject.org.
Yours,
Serena