National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab and South Asian Immigrants

National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab and South Asian Immigrants is an annual celebration on February 20th since 2002.

History

As Pastor Martin Niemoeller, Nazi Germany said that:

“Firstly they came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because of none being a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because of none being a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because of none being a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because of none being a Protestant.

Then they came for me, but by that time, no one was left to speak up.”

Pastor Niemoeller's words speak to the challenge we all face as seekers of justice and a better world. This time, they came first with Arab, Muslim and South Asian immigrants. Based on their racial profile, more than 1500 people have been rounded up and the government refuses to say who they are, where they are incarcerated and what the crime is!!! Now a Pakistani man has died in custody. Who will be next? Recent "missing" cases, indefinite detention, investigations, secret military courts, denial of legal representation, evidence kept secret from defendants, denial of any prosecution any legal practice for Arabs, Muslims, South Asians and others, was similar to the police. We will not allow our grief over the September 11 tragedy to be used to justify this new repression. It is obvious that being an immigrant is not a crime, Muslims, Arabs and South Asians are not terrorists as well.

120,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants were rounded up and sent to concentration camps during World War II. It was only after 50 years had passed that the US government acknowledged that injustice. Let's work together to build a hospitable community for immigrants and refugees by fighting and stopping these new injustices now. Join people across the United States in celebrating National Solidarity Day. Stand with Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants on February 20, 2002. Only the voices and actions of the people can STOP these attacks and ensure freedom and justice for everyone.

On February 20 wears a blue triangle with the name of one of the new "disappeared". In the early 1940s, Nazi Germany used various colored triangles to classify and divide people in concentration camps. We won't allow the same type of profile to happen here.

How to celebrate this day

Here are some ways to observe National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab and South Asian Immigrants:

• Find ways to show your solidarity: churches, synagogues, trade unions and schools provide sanctuary for the persecuted; hold a vigil or rally at a local INS detention center; organize teaching at your local school, college or university; call your political representatives and ask for these outrages to stop; organize a poetry SLAM or a music program; write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper calling for justice for all; students ask your colleges or universities not to turn over immigrant student records to the government; contact local TV stations and talk shows asking to join the program; sponsor a meeting of educational and cultural events for immigrants so they can tell their stories.

• Recall the tragedy of Nazi Germany when so many people looked the other way as their neighbors were disappeared, persecuted and stripped of their civil liberties. What will you do after that? What are you going to do now?

• Heed this appeal and distribute, post and publish everywhere! All actions on February 20 should be widely publicized and disseminated.