Border Action Network / Acción Fronteriza

PO Box 384 • Tucson, AZ • 85702

Ph 520.623.4944 • Fax 520.792.2097

ban@borderaction.org • www.borderaction.org

Press Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Press Contact:

Hilary Tone (520) 481.6482 hilary@borderaction.org

Cochise County "Human Rights Promoters" Graduate this Week

Group will build support for immigration reform and documenting human rights abuses in Cochise County

What: Graduation ceremony of Border Action Network's newest Human Rights Promoters. The group of seven men and women from Douglas and Sierra Vista will be formally recognized as part of the network of nearly 100 Human Rights Promoters throughout Southern Arizona. After the graduation ceremony, they will each fan out across the region to train other Spanish-speaking, immigrant families and border residents in their rights as well as how to get involved in building support for reforming the U.S.'s failed immigration policy.

When: Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Where: St. John Episcopal Church. 19 Sowles Ave. Bisbee, AZ 85628

Who: Sponsored by the Border Action Network

Why: Immigrants have been pushed into the shadows, mocked by Halloween costumes, and been targeted by outrageous state legislators and law enforcement antics in Maricopa County. To counter these and other indignities, immigrant men, women and youth are becoming trained Human Rights Promoters who are committed to defending and promoting human rights in their communities.

Over the last three months, seven men and women from Douglas and Sierra Vista studied the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, how to document and denounce rights violations, and how to share what they've learned with others. The new Human Rights Promoters of Tucson will become the eleventh class of human rights promoters affiliated with the Border Action Network in Arizona.

Interviews & Visuals: The new Human Rights Promoters and the Border Action Executive Director will be available for interviews. Photo opportunities include the Promoters receiving their certificates in a formal graduation ceremony.

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Border Action Network formed in 1999 and works with immigrant and border communities in Arizona to ensure that our rights are respected, our human dignity upheld and that our communities are healthy places to live. We are a membership-based organization that combines community organizing, leadership development, litigation and policy advocacy.