Duluth Immigration Rights Coalition / September 9, 2010
We, a community formed of indigenous peoples, the descendants of people forced here in slavery, the descendants of refugees and asylum seekers, and the descendants of immigrants, stand together at this time to voice our support of this resolution as an expression of our understanding of the human rights issues facing current immigrants to our country.
WHEREAS we hold these truths to be self evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, and
WHEREAS residents of Duluth, Minnesota recognize that the government of the United States of America, of our state and of our city were founded by immigrants who traveled here seeking safety for their loved ones and a better way of life, and
WHEREAS residents of Duluth, Minnesota recognize that we urgently need federal legislation to correct glaring failures within our current immigration system, that we must recognize the crucial contributions immigrants continue to make to our community and nation, that we must protect ALL workers from mistreatment, that we value and must promote reunification of families, and that we must restore due process protections to all, and
WHEREAS Arizona's SB 1070 and MN House File 3830 wrongfully place our law enforcement officers on the front line in matters of federal immigration enforcement, and threatens relationships of trust with Duluth residents, and
WHEREAS Duluth residents will NOT condone or participate in the racial profiling of our residents,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we call for meaningful federal immigration policies that are consistent with civil rights for all people, with the Constitution and the Bill of Rights of the United States of America, and that we treat all residents of Duluth, Minnesota with dignity and respect regardless of appearance, creed or religion, and institute humane and inclusive policies for all,
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we stand in opposition to Arizona's SB 1070, and call for the resounding defeat of MN House File 3830.
