January 27 - February 3, 2018 Week of Action Toolkit
One Year of Muslim and Refugee Bans:
Showing Up in Solidarity Against Discrimination
January 27 - February 3, 2018 Week of Action Toolkit
Click here to download the toolkit.
The Importance of Taking Action the Week of January 27, 2018.
On January 27, 2017, this Administration released Executive Orders banning individuals from seven (then six) Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, and all refugees from entering the country.
Now, a year later, we’re at a critical juncture. After the courts repeatedly blocked various versions of these bans, parts of both the most recent Muslim ban and refugee ban are being implemented. We must keep up the public pressure and media coverage to stop the Muslim and refugee bans now. January 27th is an important date, as people and policy makers across the country remember the actions they took that day, and can be encouraged to recommit to solidarity with Muslims, refugees, and all people targeted by this administration. Learn more about the impact of the Muslim bans at www.nomuslimbanever.com, and about the impact of the refugee bans, including a tracker and report card on refugee arrivals, at www.rcusa.org.
Ideas & Resources for Taking Action
We are encouraging faith-based leaders to start planning for January 27th events. These events will build off the constant action, educating, mobilizing, and organizing over the last year, especially the powerful No Muslim Ban Ever effort led by Muslim organizations on October 18th.
There is already an action being planned in front of the White House in Washington DC - please spread the word and click here to sponsor the rally.
Connect with the #NoMuslimBanEver campaign. You can register events, find events, sign up for updates, and endorse the campaign. You can also download their toolkit, which includes helpful talking points, campaign principles, and messages.
Join the We Are All America Campaign. We Are All America is a coalition of immigrants’ and refugee rights groups working to uphold and strengthen our nation’s commitment to welcome and protect those seeking freedom, safety, and refuge in the United States. The We Are All America campaign officially launches January 27, 2018. Find out more at www.weareallusa.org. Sign the Pledge to Support Refugees, Asylum Seekers, TPS Recipients, including approximately 7,000 Syrians, and Welcome All Newcomers: www.weareallusa.org/coalition. Organize with We Are All America: www.weareallusa.org/volunteer
Learn more about the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign. Shoulder to Shoulder is an interfaith coalition of faith leaders working to address anti-Muslim bigotry and build inclusive communities. You can sign up to receive periodic updates about their work. In Seattle, Shoulder to Shoulder is partnering with a number of national and local organizations and experts to host a training, Faith Over Fear: Empowering Faith Leaders to Combat Islamophobia from January 28th - 30th, 2018 to educate, network, and equip faith leaders to better advocate against the narrative of fear and divisiveness in our country.
Meet with your Members of Congress when they’re in their state, district offices, and any town meetings they hold from January 22nd to January 28th. Request to meet with them or their staff. Let them know your opposition to the continual Muslim and refugee bans. Click here for a toolkit on setting up a meeting with your Members of Congress and building an advocacy team.
Call Congress & ask others to do the same. Call 1-866-961-4293 three times and use this script: “I’m your constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. I strongly oppose this Administration’s continued Muslim and refugee bans, as well as the all-time low cap on refugee admissions. I urge you to do everything in your power to see that the administration resettle at least the 45,000 refugees they have set as the cap for 2018.” Find your elected official here.
Spread awareness through social media. Post on Facebook and Twitter using #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome #NoBanNoWallNoRaids #NoMuslimBan #NoRefugeeBan #WeAreAllAmerica #WhereRTheRefugees #GreaterAs1. See this No Muslim Ban Messaging Guide, information on refugee admissions, and resources on engaging local media outlets.
Sample tweets include:
Today marks one year since President Trump ordered a travel ban on Muslim immigrants and refugees. Let us be clear: Americans continue to oppose the ban and all its iterations. #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome #WeAreAllAmerica
America is richer because of our diversity. Today, and everyday, we say #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome
Despite new changes to the ban, this Administration’s original intent remains the same: to ban Muslims & refugees from entering the US. It remains discriminatory and immoral. #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome
Discriminating against people or closing our doors on those seeking refuge or in need is not what we stand for. #Yemen #Syria #NoMuslimBanEver #RefugeesWelcome
Hold a religious service on refugee issues and educate your congregation about Islam. Find resources for Christian congregations online at GreaterAs1.org and resources for Jewish communities at HIAS. Lead a study group using the “My Neighbor is a Muslim” study guide developed by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
PUT YOUR EVENT ON THE MAP & FIND AN EVENT NEAR YOU AT www.nomuslimbanever.com/ and www.weareallusa.org/events
And thank you for your efforts on behalf of Syrian refugees.
Please let MFA know that you have taken action. Email us at info@multifaithalliance.org.
