FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 30th , 2013
CONTACT: Teresa Flores (925) 759-7402 or Teresa@ccisco.org OR Arely Cruz (801) 577-5600
**PRESS RELEASE**
Utah Faith Leaders to Pray for Citizenship at Senator Orrin
Clergy and congregation members to lift up American immigrants, lawmakers in prayer
[SALT LAKE CITY, UT] - On Thursday, May 30th, faith leaders from Orem to Kearns will join with DREAM Act students and other community leaders to pray at Senator Orrin Hatch's office for a fair, inclusive and direct roadmap to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans. The Campaign for Citizenship-a project of the PICO National Network-is hosting prayer vigils Utah and across the country until a roadmap for citizenship becomes a reality for all undocumented Americans.
The Campaign for Citizenship represents Americans of faith who believe that creating a roadmap to full citizenship rights for 11 million aspiring Americans is the only response to our broken patchwork of immigration laws that is consistent with the American values of freedom, fairness and family.
Clergy and members from the Diocese of Salt Lake will gather to pray, offer testimony and encourage Senator Hatch to publicly support a fair and direct path to citizenship. Faith leaders from parishes in Utah and Salt Lake Counties will speak about key milestones they would like to see on the path to citizenship including the ability to apply for protected status, family reunification and the ability for those who have reached the appropriate status to work, drive and travel. This vigil is one of several vigils being organized by PICO National Network. Other cities where vigils are occurring include: Winter Garden, FL; Tarpon Springs, FL; Plant City, FL: Kansas City, MO; Modesto, CA; Oakland, CA; San Bernadino, CA; San Franciso, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Mountain View, CA; Indianapolis, IN; Cincinnati, OH; New York City, NY; Aurora, CO; Las Cruces, NM; Minneapolis, MN; Carson City, NV; and New York City, NY.
What: Prayer Vigil for Citizenship
Who: The Campaign for Citizenship, a project of the PICO National Network; Clergy and members from the Diocese of Salt Lake City
Where: Office of Sen. Hatch & Lee (Wallace Bennett Federal Building) 125 S State Street, Salt Lake City, UT
When: Thursday, May 30th 4:30PM - 8:00pm
Details: Visuals include: Clergy in vestments, photos of separated family members. Upon request, interviews can be arranged with clergy leaders, DREAMers, and community leaders, including interviews with Spanish-language media.
Media RSVP: This event is open to press and coverage is welcome. Media should RSVP to Arely Cruz (801) 577-5600 or Teresa Flores (925) 759-7402
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PICO National Network is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States. PICO works with 1,000 religious congregations in more than 200 cities and towns through its 60 local and state federations. PICO and its federations are non-partisan and do not endorse or support candidates for office. PICO urges people of faith to consult their faith traditions for guidance on specific policies and legislation. Learn more at www.piconetwork.org.
