We seek to transcend politics and create common ground by sharing our personal experiences, articulating our hopes, voicing our concerns, and building trust in a safe, open and nonjudgmental setting. We would love for you and other members of your organization to take part in this community conversation. Accompanied children are welcome to participate.

Noon: we all enjoy a potluck luncheon and fellowship while watching short films telling the stories of immigrants trying to make a life in the US.  Please bring a favorite dish or non-alcoholic beverage to share if you wish, but it is your participation that’s important.

1:00 pm: Kristin Collins (Uniting NC) maps out the process of building a new vision of community through dialogue; then we break out into small facilitated discussion groups of 6-8 for about an hour, after which we’ll share the highlights of our conversations in the larger group.

We have invited a cross-section of our community to this event: elected officials,  business people, workers, farmers, artists, musicians, people from the faith community, teachers, students, and, of course, immigrants and family members of immigrants. We are delighted that our NC Senator Ellie Kinnaird  as well as Olma Echeverri from Charlotte, the President of the newly formed Hispanic American Democrats of NC, will participate in this event.

It is our strong belief that in order to get grassroots support for sound comprehensive immigration reform, we have to start talking -- and listening -- to one another and create a solid foundation of trust and goodwill. We can reclaim public discourse on immigration from the orchestrated hysteria and divisive rhetoric that has replaced thoughtful debate and counter the message of fear and intolerance with a message of respect and cooperation. 

Bus Lines:

Carol Woods is on the T-Line. For a weekend schedule, please visit http://www.townofchapelhill.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3273