|
The Voice of Rural &
Migrant Ministry
(formerly RMM Notes)
YOUTH
ARTS GROUP TO DISPLAY “BREAKING THE BARRIER” MURAL
AT PAINTER’S RESTAURANT IN CORNWALL-ON-HUDSON
YAG has created a 10 by 6 foot mural entitled “Breaking
the Barrier,” to raise awareness about the problem of
racism in the schools. The mural depicts a large brick wall
being torn apart, a symbol of the students’ desire to
break the barriers that allow racism to persist.
Reflections and poems are
posted on individual bricks in the wall. The mural is designed
to be interactive - viewers are invited to contribute their
own reflections and observations to be posted on the mural.
The students have identified
racism as an issue that affects them in their daily lives.
The group has been studying the use of murals in public spaces
as a means to raise awareness about issues affecting local
communities. The mural will be displayed from February 12th
to March 12th at Painter’s Restaurant, located at 266
Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York.
"Once social change
begins, it cannot be reversed.
You cannot uneducate the
person who has learned to read. You
cannot humiliate the person who feels
pride. You cannot oppress the people
who are not afraid anymore."
César E. Chávez
2004 TOY STORE
AND FIESTA A SUCCESS!
Food, fellowship, Christmas music and fun were the theme for
the 2004 Toy Store and Fiesta, hosted at the New Hurley Reformed
Church by the Daughters of Sarah together with RMM. Over two
hundred children and their families participated. Members
of RMM’s Youth Arts Group gave presentations and sang
for the audience. RMM’s own Administrative Coordinator
Nydia Medina spoke about the Puerto Rican tradition of Three
Kings Day and how her own family has kept this tradition alive.
Parents shopped in the Toy Store for toys
discounted at up to 70% reduction. The Toy Store ensures that
parents have a choice in the presents they give their children
for Christmas – and maintain their dignity by shopping
for their families.
A heartfelt thank you to all of the individuals
and congregations from far and near who supported the 2004
Toy Store and Fiesta!
JUSTICE FOR FARMWORKERS
CAMPAIGN : FARMWORKER ADVOCACY DAY, MAY 3, 2005
Starting April 30, 2005, 30 farmworkers will lead a march
across the western portion of the state to raise awareness
about the Justice for Farmworkers Campaign and to reach farmworkers
in the most isolated areas of the state. They will conclude
their march in Albany, where they hope to meet with Senator
Joseph Bruno to request that the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices
Act be brought to the floor of the Senate for a vote.
Rural & Migrant Ministry will be joining
the farmworkers in Albany for 2005 Farmworker Advocacy Day
on Tuesday, May 3rd. Check our website for more details.
COFFEE CONNECTION
: FAIR TRADE COFFEE NOW AVAILABLE
Pura Vida coffee, a fair trade coffee, is now available on
our website. Simply click on the banner on the homepage of
our website, www.ruralmigrantministry.org, to purchase this
coffee. Regular and decaffeinated coffee is available. A portion
of profits will support RMM.
SAVE the Date:
Wednesday, May 4th, for the Annual Sowing the Seeds for Justice
Dinner at CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE, New York City
Join us for the third annual Sowing the
Seeds for Justice Dinner on Wednesday, May 4th at Synod Hall,
the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City. This
Dinner is co-sponsored by CITA, Greater New York Labor-Religion
Coalition and the New York State Labor-Religion Coalition
in an effort to raise awareness and support for the Justice
for Farmworkers Campaign.
Help is needed to make this year’s
dinner a success – contact Laura Rossi-Ortiz at (845)
485-8627 if you would like to get involved. Gracias Por LAs
Manos- 2005 Calendar Available
Copies of “Gracias Por Los Manos”
– a unique calendar paying tribute to the hands (“manos”)
that nourish and sustain us by harvesting our nation's food,
are for sale for only $10. The calendar features black and
white images of farmworkers by photographer Celia Roberts,
with captions in English and Spanish. Call our office at (845)
485-8627 to order.
BARD MIGRANT LABOR
PROJECT AND RMM to conduct Panel Discussion on Farmworker
justice and Human rights “Field of BittER DREAMS : New
York State FARMWORKERS”
The Bard College Migrant Labor Project and Rural & Migrant
Ministry will conduct a panel discussion on issues facing
farmworkers in New York State on Wednesday, March 16th, from
7 to 9 p.m. at Bard’s Language Lab. Panelists include:
Prof. Melanie Nicholson, who will discuss issues facing migrant
women farmworkers; RMM’s Rev. Richard C. Witt, Rural
& Migrant Ministry, to discuss connecting allies to the
farmworker movement; Aspacio Alcantara, former Executive Director
of Centro Independiente de Trabajadores (CITA), who will discuss
farmworker organizing, and Tricia Kakalec, Executive Director
of Worker’s Rights Law Center, who will discuss federal,
state and international laws affecting farmworkers.
The event is open to the public. A suggested
donation of $10.00 is requested.
APRIL 9, 2005
- PRESENTATION BY YOUTH DELEGATION ON FARMWORKER CAMP VISIT
On April 1st through 3rd, up to 15 high school students from
Westchester County will be attending a Youth Delegation to
farm camps in Western New York. They will be discussing their
experience with interested members of their sponsoring congregations
on Saturday, April 9th at the Presbyterian Church of Mount
Kisco. Everyone is invited to attend. A suggested donation
of $10.00 is requested.
THANK YOU, to the parishioners of Grace
Church in Millbrook, who commemorated Martin Luther King,
Jr. day by writing to their senator in support of better living
and working conditions for farmworkers.
CALENDAR:
- February 12 to March 12 – “Breaking
the Barrier” Youth Arts Group mural on Display at Painter’s
Restaurant, Cornwall-on-Hudson
- February 26, 2005 – Black Heritage
Dinner, New Hurley Reformed Church
- March 1 to 3 – Labor-Religion
Coalition Fast
- March 14 – Funeral for Cornell
Migrant Program, Cornell University, Ithaca
- March 16 – “Field of Bitter
Dreams : New York State Farmworkers,” Bard College,
Annandale, 7 to 9 p.m.
- April 9 – Youth Delegation Presentation,
Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco, 7- 9 pm.
- May 3 – Farmworker Advocacy Day,
Albany
- May 4 – Sowing the Seeds for Justice
Dinner, Synod Hall, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New
York City
RMM is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
We work to overcome the prejudices and poverty that degrade
and debilitate all members of our society, to build communities
that celebrate diversity, achieve true mutuality and offer
dignity and opportunity to all. We are an interfaith organization
whose members believe that inspiration comes from participation
in the creation of a just world. Join us!
To learn more about RMM call (845) 485-8627
or visit our website at :www.ruralmigrantministry.org
|
