Solidarity Actions for Migrant Justice This Holiday Season

Beginning on December 10, International Human Rights Day, and ending on December 18, International Migrants Day, there will be a number of activities to show your support for immigrants in the United States and expand our shared understanding of the immigrant experience, both in the United States and abroad. Check out these learning and engagement opportunities:

12/10, International Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day marks the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This year’s Human Rights Day theme is equality, highlighting Article 1 of the UDHR which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

• HIAS: International Human Rights Day Discussion of the book An Island by Karen Jennings – 12/9 at 12 pm ET.
• The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): AFSC is anchoring nine days of action beginning on International Human Rights Day and concluding on International Migrants Day, December 18, emphasizing that migration is a human right and pushing for action on behalf of immigrant justice. Join AFSC’s webinar on 12/12 to learn more!

12/12, Migration is a Human Right: A Webinar by American Friends Service Committee

Everyone deserves to live safely and peacefully – no matter where they were born or how they came to the United States. Migration is a human right, and we need laws and policies that reflect this.

Join a webinar with AFSC staff and immigrant leaders who will share how they are organizing in their communities and how you can take action to ensure that the right to migrate is protected for everyone.

12/12, Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe  

Many Catholics and other Christians, especially Latinx communities and parishes, celebrate Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe. This day commemorates the appearance of Mary to Juan Diego, an Indigenous Mexican peasant, at Tepeyac (near present-day Mexico City) in 1531. La Virgen de Guadalupe, a Catholic Saint and the Patron Saint of Mexico, appears as an Indigenous woman in Indigenous clothing. She has long represented an affirmation of Indigeneity and Mexican identity as well as the blending of Christianity with Mexican culture.

12/16-24, Las Posadas 

Las Posadas (the “inns”) is a religious festival commonly celebrated in Latin America, or in Latin American communities living elsewhere, which commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus. As groups reenact the journey, they stop on the way at various “inns” seeking hospitality yet are turned away until the last site, where they are welcomed and invited in for food and festivities. Las Posadas reminds us to offer hospitality to all who are seeking shelter and protection in our midst, just as the Holy Family did on Christmas Eve.

• CLINIC: Las Posadas Navideñas: A guide to celebrating the Holy Family’s Journey
• United Methodist Church (UMC): Brief intro, prayers, and suggested texts for Las Posadas
• ISN & Kino Border Initiative (KBI): Virtual Posadas, a daily virtual experience of music, prayer, reflection, and action in solidarity with the Holy Families in our midst.

12/18, International Migrants Day

Designated by the United Nations, International Migrants Day acknowledges the rights and contributions of migrants, the challenges they face, and the necessity of countries to welcome those on the move. For allies, International Migrants Day is an opportunity to express solidarity with the 281 million migrants around the world. Amidst economic and climate-induced crises, anxieties about immigration, and unjust and discriminatory policies, respect and justice for all immigrants is essential.

Visit http://bit.ly/IICWinterToolkit to learn more.