Update: Changes in Tucson Action-Training Convergence March 27-29
We have been excited to work together to resist border imperialism and the arms trade and to support migrants whose lives are at risk from policies of ‘prevention through deterrence.’
We’re writing to let you know that:
1. We are converting the in-person gathering in Tucson into a series of online workshops on the weekends of March 28-29 and April 4-5. We will make these interactive among participants and presenters. We also expect to offer most of the same skills sessions as we envisioned originally (policy advocacy, research, migrant hotlines, cross-border organizing) in English and Spanish.
2. We are re-scheduling the in-person training and action convergence in Tucson to July. We will build on the online workshops to further grow our skills to resist the causes of forced migration. This will be after the hottest month in Tucson, but still critical for migrants crossing the desert and for the other actions we will take together.
We will provide schedules and other information soon about signing up for the online workshops, and dates for the in-person convergence in July. If you arranged travel and lodging in Tucson for the weekend, many airlines are waiving fees at this moment. We suggest you contact your airline for a date change or refund.
In deciding what to do, we considered the vulnerability of many people likely to come to the convergence, including older adults and persons without access to good health care. We also took into account that much is unknown about the coronavirus’ transmission, including how long people with the virus may be asymptomatic but contagious, which makes it harder to prevent transmission in indoor gatherings.
We also know that even as incidence of coronavirus grows, the United States is forcing migrants into extremely dangerous and violent places, is moving weapons of destruction for profit, promoting harmful narratives about Latin Americans, and that there is much we can do to stop these ills. We are committed to continuing to resist these harmful policies.
We continue to be excited to work with you on that path.
Please look for an update soon, and contact us with your questions and ideas. Please give us a few days to respond as we are in the midst of changing logistics and fielding this change. Stay tuned for the next email with webinar information.
In solidarity,
Dévora González and Candice Camargo, SOA Watch
John Lindsay-Poland, Stop US Arms to Mexico
Eduardo Garcia, Alliance for Global Justice
Mike Tork, Veterans for Peace
Paige Corich-Kleim, No More Deaths
March 27th-29th: Training Day & Action Convergence in Tucson, Arizona
Dear Friends,
US-led and supported state violence throughout the Americas results in the forced disappearance, forced migration, torture, murder, and devastation of our communities. We know that while our communities are under attack, it is our responsibility to organize, resist, and fight back. To further our goal of dismantling border imperialism and ending all forms of US-led and supported violence, we are working in collaboration with Stop US Arms to Mexico, No More Deaths, Alliance for Global Justice, Justice for José Antonio Coalition, and others to facilitate a Training Day and Action Convergence: End Root Causes of Forced Migration in Tucson, Arizona, March 27th-29th, 2020.
This weekend of training and action is specifically geared for friends and allies who are seeking concrete tools and information to challenge border imperialism, the weapons trade, and root causes of migration, and to support migrants forced to flee their homelands. Friday, March 27th and Sunday, March 29th are days for action and Saturday, March 28th is a day of workshops designed to provide you with information and skills related to research, lobbying, media, art, direct action, community organizing, and humanitarian aid that are critical to growing the resistance!
The weekend will start on Friday at 4 pm with a protest rally in Tucson at Milkor USA, which exports grenade launchers to the Mexican army.
On Saturday, an opening panel will focus on the intersections of border militarization, weapons sales to Mexico and Central America, how intersecting policies harm migrants and communities, and a vision for changing them. Then, we will dedicate the rest of Saturday to workshop sessions to build our skills in art, organizing, research, media, advocacy and more.
On Sunday, we are excited to organize actions to materially help migrants and take home ways we can be useful for those who confront deadly conditions. One of these actions will leave Tucson early on Sunday, March 29, to carry a “water drop” in the desert. If you would like to apply to participate in the water drop, you are required to register here for the Training Day and Action Convergence and must ALSO complete and submit this application form. The deadline for submitting the water drop application is Monday, February 10th. Applications will be reviewed and notifications will be sent by Wednesday, February 19th. For logistical purposes, participation is limited and other activities will be happening simultaneously in Tucson, details to follow.
We are busy coordinating the logistics and will share more information on workshops soon! Please make certain to register so that we know you will be joining us! Participation is free and open to all — if you are able, please consider making a tax-deductible donation of $10, $25, $50, $100, or more to help cover the costs of the rental space for workshops, the cost of workshop materials, and travel costs for workshop facilitators.
We will be sharing more information on the workshops and logistics soon! In the meantime, for young people who need assistance to participate in this event, we are committed to trying to help you get there and participate! We have a small amount of funds available for this support. If you want to participate in the Training and Action Convergence but lack resources, let us know, we will send you a short application for assistance.
In solidarity & resistance,
Brigitte, Candice, Dévora, Pablo, and Roy
SOA Watch
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