From Church World Service (http://www.churchworldservice.org):
On Saturday, June 20th – and throughout the month of June – we join people across the world to celebrate the courage and resilience of refugees, recognizing the hardships they have faced and the new lives they have created. Now is a time to come together in an exceptional show of human solidarity and kindness. As refugees and friends of refugees in the United States, we celebrate the positive impact refugees have on U.S. communities.
In the midst of the current COVID-19 crisis, we stand in solidarity with our refugee neighbors and commemorate World Refugee Day. This year is also the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980, which formalized the U.S. resettlement program and asylum system. This is an historic anniversary. Please join us in taking action using the new 2020 World Refugee Day Toolkit to underscore the spirit of welcome and solidarity and the contributions of refugees in our communities.
For the 2020 World Refugee Day Toolkit, please visit: bit.ly/WRD2020Toolkit. For RCUSA’s 2020 World Refugee Day web page with resources, please visit: https://rcusa.org/get-involved/wrd/.
Here are the top 5 ways to take action:
Start by Sharing the Message on Social Media: Starting June 1 and every day thereafter, send a message of support on social media. Sample tweets and forthcoming graphics available here. Follow @RCUSA_DC on Twitter and “like” Refugee Council USA on Facebook for more. Use #WRD2020 in all postings.
Host or Attend a Virtual Local World Refugee Day Event: Host a virtual World Refugee Day event or tune into a virtual event already being planned. We Are All America has a map where you can register your event, or find out what is going on in your area. More resources are available here.
Call Congress: Click here for information on calling Congress, and share with your networks. Sample script and click-to-call tool available here.
Urge State and Local Policymakers to Act: Ask your state & local policymakers to champion refugee resettlement and pass pro-refugee policies, such as Refugees Welcome resolutions, workforce development initiatives, or local funding opportunities. Click here for a sample resolution, and click here for a state and local toolkit. Visit contactingcongress.org/local and usa.gov/elected-officials for contact information.
Organize Virtual Local Meetings with Members of Congress: Virtually meet with your Members of Congress to advocate for refugees and the refugee resettlement program. Click here for more information on how to prepare and organize a virtual meeting.
Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month! June is also Immigrant Heritage Month – so celebrate #ImmigrantHeritageMonth by helping lift up the contributions of immigrants of all backgrounds who are serving on the frontlines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. For ways to take action to #CelebrateImmigrants and for additional resources, check out this toolkit.
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