Immigration, public health, public safety, labor, legal and survivor advocates to speak

Representatives of the Safe Communities Coalition will testify at a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on Dec. 1, in support of the Safe Communities Act.

The bill is sponsored by Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representatives Ruth Balser and Liz Miranda, and it would end voluntary local involvement in civil immigration enforcement. In a media release, the Massachusetts Immigrant Refugee Advocacy Coalition wrote:

“Especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact immigrant communities, it is essential to restore trust in public institutions and ensure that everyone can seek medical care, emergency assistance and protection without fear of deportation.”

Speakers include:

• Amy Grunder, Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)

• Reverend Dieufort Fleurissaint (Pastor Keke), True Alliance Center

• Ronnie Millar, RIAN Immigrant Center

• Laura Rotolo, ACLU of Massachusetts

• Heloisa Galvao, Brazilian Women’s Group

• Debra Robbin, Jane Doe, Inc.

• Thomas N. O’Brien, HYM Investments Group

• Fiona Danaher MD, MGH Chelsea Center for Immigrant Health

• Gladys Ortiz, REACH Beyond Domestic Violence

• Diego Low, Metrowest Workers Center

• Wendy Wayne, Committee For Public Counsel Services

• Emily Leung, American Immigration Law Association, New England Chapter

• Mario Paredes, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute

• Tim Foley, SEIU 1199

• Deborah Hall, Central MA YWCA

• Sara Stanley, Healing Abuse Working for Change

• Susan Church, Demissie & Church

• Meg Glazer, Glacon Contracting

• Seana Galerin, Dunn-Gaherin’s Food & Spirits

The hearing will be live-streamed here.