By Alex Robinson
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) joined the nationwide “Fast for Families” last week in support of immigration reform that would provide undocumented immigrants with a path to citizenship.
Crowley took a turn fasting for a day in support of a group of advocates who fasted in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington to bring attention to the fact that an immigration reform bill, passed by the U.S. Senate in May had never been brought before Congress for a vote.
“For 30 days brave advocates and faith leaders have fasted to demonstrate their commitment to fixing our nation’s broken immigration system. These advocates have spoken with their voices and their hearts, and now they are speaking with every fiber of their body,” Crowley said. “I’m proud to stand in solidarity with the fasters and I hope that their actions, and the outpouring of support they are receiving, will make my Republican colleagues realize that the call for immigration reform isn’t going away.”
Crowley went without food for 24 hours and took over from U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) Thursday in a line of 33 fasting Congress members.
Determined activists held ceremonies last week in Washington as Congress was coming to a close for the year.
“We made it very clear the ‘Fast for Families’ is not over until we manage to achieve immigration reform,” said S.J. Jung, president of the Flushing-based MinkWon Center for Community Action. “As soon as Congress reopens, we’ll relaunch our campaign.”
Jung, who participated in the fast for eight days before being forced to end his strike by doctors, returned to Washington last week to attend the ceremonies. He was accompanied by busloads of fellow activists that included five members of the MinKwon Center, a nonprofit in Flushing that advocates for immigrant’s rights. Jung said a number of congressional members, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), attended the ceremonies.
Jung and other activists also visited the office of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to express their displeasure that immigration reform was never brought before the House for a vote.
“We believe immigration reform is key to our nation’s prosperity,” Jung said. “It isn’t just about immigrants rights.”
In October, Crowley, along with 200 immigration reform advocates, was arrested by U.S. Capitol Police in an act of civil disobedience calling on Congress to pass immigration reform. Crowley, who was attending a rally, refused to move off a street near the Capitol after being warned three times by police.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
