We are in the fight for our lives. Polarization is increasing across the country. Austerity drive governments are in power in many provinces and are slashing public services. The climate crisis is escalating. The worst impacts of these will be on migrants, even as anti-immigrant sentiment increases.
This is a fight we must win. It’s a fight we can win – together. We know we can, because we have accomplished so much, with so little already!
In 2019, you joined thousands of people in 20+ cities from coast to coast to coast in one of four days of action. Together, we gave a clear warning to politicians that we would not allow racism as a divisive strategy. At these actions, we spoke out against discrimination and global displacement and put forward our platform for justice.
The Migrant Rights Network trained 400 facilitators just between April to September. These facilitators in turn had thousands of one-on-one conversations with people in their lives; busting myths that fuel xenophobia, challenging divisiveness and calling for decent work, universal services, and permanent status for everyone.
While we organized to change minds and the media narrative, we also WON better laws. Care workers facing deportation won a new program for themselves. Immigration detainees won at the Supreme Court of Canada. Farm workers won a commitment to a partial permanent residency program. Migrants pushed for an open work permit for vulnerable workers. International students increased their organizing!
In the days before the election, we issued 10 Election Reality Checks emails full of facts and infographics. You were part of hundreds of thousands of people who read these updates, shared them on social media and used them to talk to your neighbours, friends and family members.
As we approach the end of this incredible year, we know there is hard work ahead of us. Right now, grassroots migrant groups from British Columbia to PEI are holding local meetings to assess our work to date, and plan for 2020. Just $2 per month would go a long way in ensuring we can continue our work. Give now: www.migrantrights.ca/Donate
If you are part of a self-organized group of racialized people and migrants, get in touch at info@migrantrights.ca. If you want to stay connected, and aren’t part of an organization, sign up!
With your support, in 2020 we will:
- Bring together grassroots migrant justice organizations from across the country to share strategies and resources, to increase collaboration, and bring migrant leadership to the front!
- Work closely with climate, labour, feminist and other social movements here and around the world to build a common future where we all thrive!
- Win better laws and policies for migrants and support campaigns for justice!
- Create and disseminate popular education materials to build our capacity to fight racism and win!
Together, we will win. Onwards to 2020!