The Power of the Movement

From Rich Stolz, Reform Immigration FOR America

This Sunday, in a major show of grassroots power, 100,000 people will crowd the National Mall for the March for America: Change Takes Courage event. The March will dwarf other lobbying efforts and movements and will be the largest demonstration of grassroots clout since President Obama took office. Grassroots leaders from across the nation, will be arriving in buses and caravans, on trains, cars and trucks and vans. Already, more than 900 buses from at least 35 states will be rolling to Washington, DC and more are flying in from Hawaii and the west coast. With every hour that passes, we hear of another dedicated group of people finding ways to get here.

With 100,000 people gathered on the national mall, our message will be impossible to ignore: We Need Immigration Reform NOW! This is only the beginning of a major escalation of work and momentum for the immigration reform movement. We have made clear to the White House and the leadership of both parties that they must act this year on comprehensive immigration reform.

The March Has Already Achieved Some of Its Goals. Even before the March has even begun, it has achieved the following objectives:

• Immigrants Rights Advocates Met With the President of the United States. The President reiterated his "unwavering" commitment to achieving comprehensive immigration reform. He also endorsed the Schumer-Graham bipartisan framework and pledged "to do everything in my power to forge a bipartisan consensus this year on this important issue."
• A Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Legislation. Senator Schumer and Graham released their framework for comprehensive immigration reform in the Washington Post. You can see the Campaign's response here.
• A Commitment From Senate Leadership for Floor Time. Even before the release of the framework, Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy announced his support for comprehensive immigration reform. After release of the framework, Senator Harry Reid promptly promised floor time for the legislation once it comes out of the Judiciary Committee.

The March FOR America, and dozens of echo events popping up across the nation, will represent millions of Americans - native born and immigrant, conservative and progressive, business leader and labor leader, along with a tremendous diversity of faith and lay leaders - who want comprehensive immigration reform now.

It's time to march!

Rich Stolz
Reform Immigration FOR America