6TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE
December 6-8, 2007, Arlington, Virginia

Keynote Address
  (Thursday, December 6, 12:30 - 2 p.m.)

Rev. Nelson N. Johnson
Rev. Johnson is executive director of the Beloved Community Center in Greensboro, North Carolina.  The Center’s mission is to foster and model a spirit of community based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”  In this spirit, the Center envisions and works toward social and economic relations that affirm and realize the equality, dignity, worth, and potential of every person.

• “Bridging Communities: Renewed Strength and Promise” (transcript and video of Rev. Nelson’s profoundly inspiring speech)

(Back to top)
 

Plenary Sessions

(Back to top)

Training & Workshop Descriptions

Thursday, December 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

1.5 Taking the Offensive in Support of Immigrant Rights
A space to share strategies for creating welcoming communities for immigrants.  Speakers will focus on how local and state entities can work proactively with immigrant communities, and on how to educate the general public about immigrants’ human rights, struggles, and contributions so as to mobilize support for immigrant rights.  (Elias Garcia, Mireya Hurtado, David Lubell, Danielle Short, Nicola Wells)

• Coloradans for Immigrant Rights (pdf)

• Being a Strong Ally in the Immigrant Rights Movement: Basic Tactics (Coloradans for Immigrant Rights) (pdf)

• Citizenship Privilege (Coloradans for Immigrant Rights) (pdf)

• The State of Illinois and Immigrant Integration: For the Benefit of All (Mireya Hurtado)

Friday, December 7, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

4.4 Countering the Rise of Nativist Influence
Some anti-immigrant groups enjoy mainstream status and respect.  Therefore, immigration advocates are designing new communication strategies to change how nativist groups are perceived.  Participants will discuss these strategies and share experiences to strengthen the immigrant rights movement.  (Marisa Aguayo, Devin Burghart, Patrick M. Garland, Roberto Lovato, Corey Saylor)

• Far From Fringe: Minutemen Mobilizes Whites Left Behind by Globalization (Roberto Lovato)

Friday, December 7, 2:15 - 3:45 p.m.

5.6 Building Bridges Between Immigrant and Citizen Communities of Color
Brings together grassroots leaders whose work incorporates a multiracial perspective in order to promote sustainable solutions meeting the needs of everyone affected.  How do we develop strategies for creating an inclusive democracy in which multiracial unity and power-building is key?  Provides examples of issues local communities are focusing on, and examines why multiracial perspectives are so challenging to achieve yet so critically important.  (Kéren E. Charles Dongo, Aarti Kohli, Marie Thompson, M. Aurora Vásquez)

• Another Side to Race and Immigration (Bill Fletcher) (pdf)

• Are Immigrants People of Color? (RinkuSen) (pdf)

• The Race Question and Building Labor Power in the Context of the Immigrant Upsurge (Steven Pitts) (pdf)

• Immigration Raids Echo History of African Americans (Jean Damu) (pdf)

• Conflict and Solidarity between African American and Latino Immigrant Workers (Jennifer Gordon and R.A. Lenhardt) (pdf)

• Selected Reading List (pdf)

(Back to top)
 

Friday, December 7, 4:15 - 5:45 p.m.

6.6 Gender, Identity, and Sexual Orientation: Distinctive Challenges for Immigrant Populations
Discusses gender, identity, and sexual orientation-related issues specific to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) immigrants.  The discussion will include information about the current state of LGBT immigrants, reconciling gaps in cultural competency between immigration and LGBT service providers, and resources for service providers and advocates.  (Francisco Dueñas, Adam Francoeur, Grisella Martinez)

• National Resource List for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Immigrants (Grisella Martinez) (pdf)

(Back to top)