Third Annual Immigrant and Legislative Day Brings Diverse Voices to Olympia (February 10, 2009)

Undaunted by a February snow storm, 26 buses converged in Olympia for the 3rd Annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day on February 10. The collective voices of over 1500 constituents representing 43 countries gathered at the State Capitol. Organized by a coalition of more than 40 Washington-based community groups and led by ReWA, the rally illuminated critical issues facing immigrants and refugees such as citizenship and naturalization rights, educational access, and job training.

Faced with a devastated State Budget, participants appealed to lawmakers to preserve the programs that assure access to opportunity for refugees and immigrants. They visited their senators and representatives, presenting position papers and sharing their individual stories to make a personal plea to restore or preserve state funding for naturalization and employment programs, education, affordable housing, and services for the homeless.

By bridging the gap that exists between different ethnic communities and addressing issues that affect refugees and immigrants as a whole the 3rd Annual Refugee and Immigrant Legislative Day demonstrated the strength of our collective voice.