Category Archives: Immigration

Immigration, Meeting notices, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Our Next Meeting – TUESDAY, March 11

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING
____________________________________________________________

Dear members and supporters—

On our agenda this month:

  • Maureen McSorley, a California lawyer who has practiced immigration law for the past 30 years, will be our speaker.   She will give a short overview of the immigration system and discuss recent developments under the Trump Administration in immigration law and practice.  Ms. McSorley has had extensive experience representing unaccompanied minors and juveniles in immigration proceedings throughout California.
  • Sheri Leigh will be talking about Fiesta Primavera which will be coming up again on April 5, from 10 am to 6 pm in Benicia City Park.
  • A proposal to  change our name will be on the agenda.  There will be an opportunity at the meeting for discussion.  The vote on this will take place at the meeting. I was mistaken that we could do it online over a couple of days.  According to our bylaws it must be at a general meeting.   Remember you can only vote if your dues are current, and you have been a member for 60 days.

Announcements

The Industrial Safety Ordinance  will be back before the council on March 4 at 6 for its’ first reading.  Please plan to attend to show your support for this critical ordinance.

There is a  fundraiser at Baxter’s this Sunday, March 2 from 1 to 4 to support Fiestas Primavera.  Come hear music, eat great food and party.  There will be an raffle of a painting by a famous, sight impaired and recently deceased New Orleans artist, Ronald Jones.

CRAB IS BACK

Buy Your Tickets  NOW for the Solano County Democratic Central Committee Crab and Pasta Feed on March 8 at 6pm.

The Solano County Democratic Central Committee raises money to be used on campaigns for Democratic candidates throughout Solano County.  Please buy your tickets to this event.  It is not limited to Central Committee members, but is for everyone.  It’s a lot of fun and a great way to meet other Solano County Democrats and elected officials.  This is the major fundraiser for the year.  Buy your tickets here  https://www.solanodemocrats.com/2025crabfeed

We can also use volunteers, deserts other items for the silent auction.  Please email progressivedemocratsofbenicia@gmail.com to volunteer or provide a desert or auction item.

You should have received an email about our fabulous online art auction.  https://go.rallyup.com/fbe6ef/Campaign/Details

And please bring your friends.   It’s not too late to buy sponsorships.

Renew Your Membership

Don’t forget that our membership dues are now due.   Membership dues are $30 a year (please contact me if this is a hardship)  You can renew your membership, or submit an application to become a new member, at this link: https://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/.

Please be sure you have paid your dues to be eligible to vote in the elections. The bylaws state “New Members shall be entitled to vote on all Club matters sixty (60) days after payment of dues. Existing members, upon payment of membership renewal dues, shall be eligible immediately to vote on all Club matters.”  We also allow old members to vote upon payment of dues.

Zoom Details

Topic: Immigration, Vote on Name Change
Time: Tuesday,  March 11,  2025, 7:00 PM Pacific 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82891217508?pwd=xShWvaNBudpqpEe5eDiAiWVbaDack0.1

Meeting ID: 828 9121 7508
Passcode: 305180

See you soon

 

Immigration, Lights For Liberty

Letter: Roger Straw on Benicia Lights for Liberty

Benicia Standing Strong – support for better conditions at the US border, vigil here on Friday

By Roger Straw, The Benicia Independent, July 11, 2019

Benicia Lights for Liberty - Friday, July 12, 2019, 7 PM, City Park Gazebo, First Street, Benicia, CA
Benicia Lights for Liberty – Fri., July 12, 2019, 7 PM, City Park Gazebo, 1st Street, Benicia, CA

Our daily news is overflowing on the tragic conditions at our southern border. The tv and print reporters are on it, and some of our leaders in Washington, D.C. are on it. But the Trump administration keeps on separating children from their parents, detaining, caging and even abusing desperate humans who have fled their homes and appealed to the greatness of the Land of Liberty, appealed to you and me, asking for a hearing, for asylum, for the long-held open-armed welcome of the USA.

Emma Lazarus wrote an American treasure, and we have offered it to the world: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” – As it appears on the statue of liberty, offering freedom, safety and prosperity to all the world.

The reporters and some in power are on it, but you and I find it difficult to know what to do. Join me in a moving and informative candlelight vigil this Friday at the gazebo in City Park. Our vigil here in Benicia will be one of over 600 such events across the USA and around the world on July 12, calling for an end to human detention camps, and offering ways to help effect change.

Come to Benicia City Park from 7-9pm this Friday, July 12. Gather near the gazebo, check out the information tables and the art, listen to the music and song, hear the stories of those who work with immigrants and asylum seekers, and find out more about what WE can do to help.

Thank you to all who care about this tragic situation, and all who helped organize this important event here in Benicia.

Roger Straw
Benicia

More info and optional rsvp on Benicia Lights for Liberty (Facebook)
More info on Lights For Liberty national and international

Immigration, Lights For Liberty

Benicia Lights for Liberty – Friday, July 12, 7pm, City Park Gazebo

Benicia Lights for Liberty – Friday, July 12, 7pm, City Park Gazebo

Lights for Liberty poster – download and distribute!

Lights for Liberty events will take place in Benicia and around the world on the evening of Friday, July 12.

Progressive Democrats of Benicia is a co-sponsor the event.  Please come THIS Friday evening!

Lights for Liberty is a vigil to end human detention camps.  We will gather at the Gazebo in Benicia City Park (First & Military Streets), at 7pm on Friday, July 12: facebook.com/events/350536272520879

What to Expect:

  • Gather with others who care deeply about conditions at our southern border
  • Hear from nearby organizations that are working with immigrant families; be moved by the stories and efforts being made to welcome young and old who seek freedom and safety in the U.S.
  • Learn what you can do to help
  • View a display of Nikki Basch-Davis’ art, “My Voice” – faces of the human tragedy at our southern border
  • Opportunity to sign a Benicia Lights for Liberty petition
  • Take part in a closing silent candlelight vigil – taking our lights into all the world

What to Bring:

  • Your energy, commitment, hope, solidarity…
  • Your cell phone, flashlight or LED candle (LED candles will be available for the first 120 participants.  Lit candles not allowed.)
  • A folding chair
  • Signs of support for immigrants and asylum seekers

More Information: