Voting Rights Act of 1965 Reauthorization and Restoration Bill
As early as Tuesday, 6/20/2006, the full U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 9, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. Please contact members of the Congressional Delegation (see below) to express your support.

Immigration Rights
As the immigration debate rages in Washington, D.C., maximizing our electoral power will strengthen our hand in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform.  Coordinated by the many groups involved in the We Are America Alliance, (www.WeAreAmericaAlliance.org), plans for Democracy Summer beginning on July 1st will highlight work being done to build the power of immigrant communities and allies at the ballot box.

We encourage you to organize an event focused on civic engagement and immigrant rights.  Here are some event ideas for you to consider:

1) Teach-Ins about the Senate and House bills
Educate your community about the Senate and House bills and what they can do to help make sure that real and comprehensive immigration reform becomes law and that immoral and hateful proposals do not.  We are producing a teach-in curriculum that will be made available for you to use and adapt to your local needs.  At this event you can also recruit participants to take part in upcoming events and civic engagement activities. 

2) Lobby your Members of Congress
Meet with your Senators and Members of Congress, start a letter-writing campaign, or organize a call-in day.

3) Citizenship workshops to help legal permanent residents become citizens
There are hundreds of thousands of legal immigrants in the United States who are qualified to become citizens.  As citizens they could vote and increase our power on immigration issues. Forms and direction on how other organizations have successfully launched citizenship workshops will be available soon.

4) Voter registration drives
Register people to vote and educate them about what is at stake in the immigration reform debate.  Encourage members of your community to pledge that they will each register at least 10 people to vote on July 1st. 

5) Press Events and Press Statements
Highlight your efforts to engage the community around comprehensive immigration reform and increase civic participation in immigrant communities.  Hold a press conference or release a press statement announcing your organization's plans for Democracy Summer.