RMM NOTES

              (News From Rural & Migrant Ministry)

                                November 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Upcoming Events
 
Visit our website for additional information on the following events or the mark your calendar section in this newsletter:
 
  • Justice For All Speakers Forum Presents
    Maureen Casey on 11/18/2007 at Unitarian universalit Fellowship of Poughkeepsie @4pm
  • Rural Women's Conference November 3oth & December 1st in Binghampton, NY
  • Toy Store 12/15/2007
  • Justice For ALL Speakers Forum presents Rabbi Michael Feinberg on 12/16/2007 at Poughkeeepsie Firends Meeting (Quakers) @4pm
 

 

 

 

Sister Organization Links
 
CONTACT US 
 
 
Eastern New York
 
Address:
P.O. Box 4757
Poughkeepsie, NY12602
Phone:
(845) 485-8627
Fax:
(845) 485-1963
 
 
 
Western New York
 
Email:
Address:
14 State Street
Brockport, NY 14420
Phone:
(845) 637-8360
Fax:
(585) 637-8362
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mission

Rural and Migrant Ministry works for the creation of a just rural New York State through:

· Nurturing leadership development
· Standing with the disenfranchised
· Changing unjust systems and structures
 
News/Analysis
 
Rural Women's Conference
 
Will be held on November 30th-December 1st in Binghampton, NY.  You do not want to miss out on this great conference.  Our Keynote Speaker will be Alina Diaz, Judge Josephine Finn and Cynthia Ellis. 
 
         Alina Diaz        Judge Josephine Finn      Cynthia Ellis
 
Please click on the link for a registration form and additional information Flyer/Registration Form
(It is not too late to Register)
 
  • The Sowing Seeds for Justice Dinner was a tremendous success. What a blessing it was to say thanks to our Honorees:  Librada Paz, the Rev. Noelle Damico, Richard Winsten and Julie Ruttan.  The words of Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan challenged us to keep going forward in the quest for farmworker justice and Sam Waterston provided a wonderful air of dignity. As one person said: "I felt like I was watching his final summation on Law and Order!"  We are grateful to our friends at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in NYC for sharing their home that provided such a beautiful space for the Dinner.
 
  • Two hundred leaders from the farmworker, religious, and student community gathered in Batavia, NY for RMM's Harvesting Justice Conference.  They gathered to gain global understanding of local challenges, develop connections to bridge new relationships, and gain new tools for social transformation in our current social and political climate

  • "The church is the only institution" stated Rev. John Fife, featured conference speaker "left to speak truth to power".  Rev. Fife shared life-threatening border stories of the marginalized and oppressed, and of those reaching out in compassion to meet their needs. He is a retired minister of Tucson's Southside Presbyterian Church, who was tried and convicted for offering hospitality and protection to refugees fleeing the violence and death squads of the civil war in El Salvador and Guatemala in the 1980's.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Some Thoughts on the Driver's License Issue:

  • In September, Governor Spitzer offered a policy proposal that would have brought hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers out of the shadows by creating a process for obtaining a driver's license without providing a social security number.  This policy would have enhanced security by increasing the number of insured drivers on our roads and adding a large segment of New York's population to public records.  By freeing undocumented immigrant workers from reliance on transportation from employers or other informal arrangements, the policy would have removed one of the devices of oppression and exploitation suffered by New York's farmworkers. 

     

    Unfortunately, after several weeks of polarizing political discourse dominated by fear and partisan opportunism, Governor Spitzer buckled. He joined with Michael Chertoff to announce a policy endorsing the repulsively Orwellian Real ID Act and creating a hierarchy of driver's licenses that would have further marginalized New York's undocumented population.  The Governor's 180-degree turn left RMM with the feeling that our communities would be better off if the Governor had done nothing at all. 

     

    Ultimately, the Governor withdrew his revised proposal.  While we are disappointed that the Governor's original policy failed, we are more even more distressed by the series of events that followed his announcement.  New York became the newest venue for the anti-immigrant sentiment that has corrupted our nation in recent years. In response, we in New York's faith community must continue to serve as a voice for honoring the contributions of all members of our community and affording equal rights and protections to all people. 


  • Rural and Migrant Ministry gives great thanksgiving for the leadership of the Rev. Jim Palm for his two years of creative leadership as our President. Jim has a deep passion for justice which combines with creative and wise strategic insights. As a result RMM was able to face some very challenging times and come through with great hope.

 

  • RMM welcomes it's new officers: Rabbi Michael Feinberg as President, the Rev. Julie Cicora as our Vice President and Diane Gismond as our Treasurer. They join Wayne Alt who will continue to serve as Secretary.  Michael is the Executive Director of the Greater New York Labor- Religion Coalition in New York City. Julie is Priest-In-Charge at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church in Henrietta New York.  Diane is a member of Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale and Wayne is a cofounder of the WNY Peace Center and a member of Riverside-Salem United Church of Christ on Grand Island.
Action Steps

Earlier this month, Senator Diane Feinstein announced that she would not attach AgJobS (Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act, S. 340/H.R. 371) as an amendment to the Farm Bill.  Feinstein promised to find the right 'vehicle' for the bill's passage, "Bottom line:  I am committed to moving AgJOBS in whatever way that I canthis year.  We will not give up the fight."  AgJOBS would create a stable, reliable agricultural workforce and provide a path to residency for farmworkers who commit to continue working in agriculture. 

 

In late October, the U.S. Senate rejected the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors S. 774) when 44 senators voted to block full debate on the bill.  We are profoundly disappointed by the Senate's failure to advance this legislation, which would provide immigrant students who graduate high school with permanent residency and a chance to attend college.  The DREAM Act would reward immigrant children for their hard work rather than punishing them for decisions they did not make.  It would cover tens of thousands of young immigrants who have called New York 'home' for as long as they can remember-including many children served by RMM. 

 

You can support farmworkers and immigrant youth by calling Senators Schumer and Clinton.  Both Clinton and Schumer are supporters of AgJOBS and the DREAM Act, so thank them for their support and tell them we need them to vote for cloture (putting a time limit on filibusters aimed at blocking a bill from coming to the floor for a vote) next time either is attached as an amendment to another bill.

Clinton:

Washington: (202) 224-4451
Rochester:  (585) 263-6250
Albany:(518) 431-0120
Buffalo:(716) 854-9725

Schumer:

Washington: (202) 224-6542
Rochester:   (585) 263-5866
Buffalo:(716) 846-4111
Peekskill: (914) 734-1532

Mark Your Calendar

  • Justice For All Speakers Forum Presents Maureen Casey on Sunday November 18, 2007 @4pm at The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie. 67 South Randolph Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY.  Maureen Casey will be speaking about "Sweat-Free Trade".  For additional infiormation visit www.allforjustice.org.
  • Rural Women's Conference will be held on November 3oth through Deceber 1st at Binghampton NY.  Keynote speakers will be the Honorable Judge Josephine Finn, Alina Diaz and Cnthia Ellis. Judge Josephine Finn was requested by many women whom attended the confrence last year. Please visit our website for additional information or call Ruth Faircloth at 845-264-9002.
  • Annual Toy Store will be held on December 15, 2007 at New Hurley Reformed Church. 
  • Justice For All Speakers Forum Presents Rabbi Michael Feinberg "Faith and Labor:Partner in Justice"on Sunday December 16, 2007 @4pm at Poughkeepsie Friends Meeting (Quakers).  249 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie.  For additional information visit www.allforjustice.org
 

 

We Sure Could Use Your Help!!!
 
Recently we received wonderful word from two supporters of RMM. One wanted to remember RMM in their will, and the other wanted to donate stock to RMM.  If you would like make a similar type of gift to RMM, give Richard Witt a call at 845-485-8627!

Volunteers are needed to help out part time in the offices.  If you are interested in joinging us please call Janaira Ostrander @ 845-485-8627.
 
 RMM drives a lot around the State, and we do a good job of wearing out our vehicles!  Can you donate a low mileage vehicle in good condition?  Give Janaira a call at RMM 845-485-8627
 
Our Annual Toy Store is approaching it's (18th year!)  We are looking for new unwrapped toys. The toys will be available for purchase by low income families at our store in December. This is truly a three in one gift. Parents have the dignity of choosing and paying (greatly reduced prices) for gifts for their children. In turn the proceeds help pay for the end of the year Fiesta for families, community and the members of RMM and finally proceeds go to enable low income rural women to participate in conferences and retreats sponsored by Daughters of Sarah, a rural women's support group.  For more information, call Jane at RMM 845-485-8627