“If the goal was to increase the love, rather than winning or dominating a constant opponent, I think we could actually imagine liberation from constant oppression. We would suddenly be seeing everything we do, everyone we meet, not through the tactical eyes of war, but through eyes of love. We would see that there’s no such thing as a blank canvas, an empty land or a new idea – but everywhere there is complex, ancient, fertile ground full of potential.” (adrienne marie brown)
The Pitzer College Diversity Committee invites you to an interfaith vigil near an immigration detention center that is 90 miles away from Pitzer College. Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival that celebrates freedom of religion and freedom from tyranny. People celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles on a menorah, which is also called a Hanukiyah. Community members will gather near the immigrant detention facility to shine light on shared humanity. This facility is the largest immigrant detention center in California. It detains immigrants and refugees from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
At PZ, 1000 cranes were folded for a student-led 11/15 solidarity ceremony around a range of social issues. These cranes will be presented at the Festival of Lights vigil on 12/9.
Free transportation is available. The first 20 – 30 people to sign up via this survey will receive a spot. All are welcome (students, staff, faculty, and community members).
DEPART FROM PZ: 2 p.m.: A bus will be leaving from Pitzer in front of Scott Hall. Go to Rancho Cucamonga to pick up community partners then to Adelanto.
CEREMONY: 5:30 p.m.: The ceremony across the street from Adelanto immigration detention center.
RETURN TO PZ: 9:30 p.m.: The bus will go to Rancho Cucamonga to drop off community partners then return to Pitzer College in front of Scott Hall.
LOGISTICS: There are no bathrooms at the site. Dress warmly and wear sturdy/close toed shoes. Bring flashlight, water, and snacks.
OPTIONAL: glow in the dark signs with wishes and hopes, poetry, songs, chairs, glow sticks, blankets to sit on, xmas lights with own power source, musical instruments, speakers with own power source, noisemakers, Kleenex.
BACKGROUND INFO ON IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTERS : (content warning)
https://widerimage.reuters.com/story/inside-californias-largest-immigration-detention-center
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-adelanto-oig-20181002-story.html
https://boomcalifornia.com/2017/12/25/black-life-in-adelanto/
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-indian-immigrants-20180813-story.html
CO-SPONSORS of PZ BUS:
PZ Diversity Committee
ASAM102: Social Responsibility Praxis (Yep)
ASAM22: Healing Justice (Yep)
EVENT SPONSORS: Rabbi Suzanne Singer (Riverside), Bend the Arc (LA), Clue CA (LA), Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (Riverside), and more…
Dr. Kathy Yep 