TIRRC would like to extend its sincere thanks to all of the community leaders who participated in New American Day on the Hill 2009. Without the leadership of these individuals this event would not have been such a great success!
A valuable experience for all involved
On Wednesday, April 1, TIRRC hosted its third annual New American Day on the Hill. Nearly 100 community leaders took advantage of this important opportunity to interact with their elected officials. Participants from all over Tennessee first met at the Freedom Center, in the heart of downtown Nashville, for a brief training on the legislative process and discussion of current bills with the potential to affect immigrant communities. Next they went to the Legislative Plaza and the Capitol Building, where the legislators' committee rooms and offices are housed.
Participants held over 30 meetings with individual legislators where they discussed important policy proposals, told personal stories that put a human face to the issues, and demonstrated clearly the growing political voice of the immigrant community in Tennessee. In the words of participant Aram Torabian, “Being here at New American Day on the Hill makes you feel like you are a part of the democratic process. It makes you aware of the fact that you can make a change; that your perspective influences your government.”
NO to racial profiling, YES to education
Many participants used their time with legislators to lobby against bills that would encourage racial profiling and to advocate for bills that would expand educational opportunities for immigrants. According to TIRRC volunteer and leader Erica Roe-Fehrman, “It gave me a way to actively participate in influencing my state government to vote against bills that I believe are harmful and unjust to our newest Tennesseans and our community as a whole. It also gave me the opportunity to voice my support for bills that promote successful integration such as the DREAM Act and the We Want to Learn English Initiative.
Don't let the advocacy end here!
New American Day on the Hill is only one step in the relationship-building process between policymakers and the immigrant community.
Snapshots of the Day
"New American Day on the Hill has an important dual role. It gives you the opportunity to learn the legislative process and also gives you the opportunity to speak as a foreign-born community member, to actively participate, and to play a role in advocating for your community. We need to encourage many people to participate in this.” - Abdelghani Barre
“I think New American Day on the Hill is good because we can get more information on the legislative process, on bills, and spread this information to our communities.” - Pastor Jose Rodriguez
