Dear Causa supporters and community members,
Four months after the defeat of Measure 88 (Oregon driver card), organizations from across the state quickly formed a loose coalition to respond to anti-immigrant petitions filed by the extremist nativist group, Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR), and their allies. United by our shared values around immigrant and racial justice, the coalition was determined to defeat all anti-immigrant proposals that aimed to undermine the wellbeing of thousands of immigrants and their families in our state.
Inspired by the opportunity to help weave diverse communities together on the principle of respect, understanding, and the power of unity, I joined Causa as the Coalition Coordinator a year ago. During this time, the One Oregon Coalition has grown from 20 to 65 diverse partners that include labor, faith, environmental, reproductive health, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, Black, immigrant and refugee rights, rural, urban, LGBTQ, and economic justice organizations. Collectively, we were able to defeat all anti-immigrant proposals from qualifying onto Oregon’s 2016 ballot, engaged our respective bases around anti-immigrant threats through the “United Against Hate” campaign, worked with Latinx organizations to build leadership capacity, built relationships with groups that historically have not worked within the immigrant rights movement, and launched our website (OneOregon.org)!
As a first generation Xicana daughter to migrant parents from Mexico, it’s been an honor working with Causa and the One Oregon coalition to defend our immigrant and refugee communities. Despite the heightened extremist attacks towards low-income, racialized, and gendered communities, I truly believe we are living in a period with extraordinary potential for positive change. I know we, as traditionally marginalized communities, Somos Luchadores, we are fighters. Luchando a cada amanecer bajo un nuevo sol y soñando con esperanza por las noches negras. Our resilience is what gives me faith that we will persist. We will protect. We will win.
This is just the beginning for our coalition. With that said, I’m beyond excited to introduce Causa’s and One Oregon’s new Coalition Coordinator. I have complete faith in Joel Iboa’s ability, commitment, and passion to carry and cultivate this work forward with you all.
¡La Lucha sigue!
In solidarity,
Yanely Rivas
While we’ll miss Yanely, we are glad to have Joel Iboa join us next month as Coalition Coordinator.