The Safe and Welcoming city law allows undocumented residents to obtain a city ID in Kansas City, Kan., and provides that, unless there is a threat of danger to the public, law enforcement will not report or investigate the immigration status of a person.
Lending a hand to make Wyandotte County “Safe and Welcoming”
A coalition of advocates has sought passage of a “Safe and Welcoming” ordinance in Wyandotte County, KS, for 5 years. David Johnson of the coalition recalled, “There were a few times we thought about throwing in the towel.” The proposed ordinance may come to the Unified Government Board of Commissioners Feb. 10.
‘Human Care, Not Warfare’ makes it to the media
KKFI Community Radio (90.1 FM) and NBC Action News (Channel 41) covered the May 25 “Human Care, Not Warfare” midtown rally. Among 12 speakers, Cris Mann urged, “We should cancel college debt and eliminate the warfare budgets.” She led a chant: “Books, not bombs!”
‘Race Issues ARE Peace Issues’—program disrupts apathy
Peace activists gathered April 27 for a panel discussion and workshops on the theme “Race Issues ARE Peace Issues.” Sponsored by PeaceWorks-KC and moderated by Lucky Garcia, the event was designed to foster networking among local peace activists to more effectively address racism and violence in greater Kansas City.
Learn, Move, Act: Justice for Immigrants
“This summer has witnessed a reckoning for U.S. political and social life, a rending tension of fear and exclusion for humans who have immigrated more recently, without legal documentation, to this culture. While the policies of immigration law have, throughout the national history, always sought to exclude, there is an especially violent escalation in the current moment of federal orders and actions. Offering welcome, refuge, and mercy all become the work of peace,” says Joseph Wun.
Revival calls for action for racial healing
Rev. William Barber, leader of the Moral Monday movement in North Carolina that is pushing for racial justice, preached, “Woe to those who legislate evil!—who issue unjust laws and deprive the poor of their rights. Woe to those who cut money from children so they can get a tax cut for the wealthy.”