Advisory: Tuesday: Immigration, Public Health, Public Safety, Labor, Legal and Survivor Advocates to Testify in Support of Safe Communities Act

Media Contact: 

Karissa Hand, 508-406-8186

WHO:

Representatives of the Massachusetts Safe Communities Coalition who will be testifying in support of the Safe Communities Act include:    

• Amy Grunder, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)


• Reverend Dieufort Fleurissaint (Pastor Keke), True Alliance Center


• Ronnie Millar, RIAN Immigrant Center


• Laura Rotolo, ACLU of Massachusetts


• Heloisa Galvao, Brazilian Women’s Group


• Debra Robbin, Jane Doe, Inc.


• Thomas N. O’Brien, HYM Investments Group


• Fiona Danaher MD, MGH Chelsea Center for Immigrant Health


• Gladys Ortiz, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence


• Diego Low, Metrowest Workers Center


• Wendy Wayne, Committee For Public Counsel Services


• Emily Leung, American Immigration Law Association, New England Chapter


• Mario Paredes, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute


• Tim Foley, SEIU 1199


• Deborah Hall, Central MA YWCA


• Sara Stanley, Healing Abuse Working for Change


• Susan Church, Demissie & Church


• Meg Glazer, Glacon Contracting


• Seana Galerin, Dunn-Gaherin’s Food & Spirits

WHEN:

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 11 am

WHAT:

Hearing will be livestreamed here.

WHAT:

Representatives of the Massachusetts Safe Communities Coalition will testify at a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security in support of the Safe Communities Act (S.1579/H.2418). The bill, which is sponsored by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Ruth Balser and Liz Miranda, would end voluntary local involvement in civil immigration enforcement. Especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact immigrant communities, it is essential to restore trust in public institutions and ensure that everyone can seek medical care, emergency assistance and protection without fear of deportation.