Month: November 2019
Movies that Matter
When the Taliban puts a bounty on Afghan director Hassan Fazili’s head, he is forced to flee the country with his wife and two young daughters. Capturing the family’s uncertain journey firsthand, Fazili documents their harrowing trek across numerous borders revealing the danger and uncertainty facing refugees seeking asylum juxtaposed with the unbreakable love shared amongst the family on the run.
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One of the pleasures of being associated with West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry, and other Immigrants Rights groups in Charleston, is having the opportunity to present real-life stories to a wide audience, to educate people about issues facing displaced persons and the lengths one will go to gain civil liberties and the safety and well-being of one’s family.
WVIRM and ACLU West Virginia will co-sponsor the documentary Midnight Traveler on Mondays in December at the Floralee Hark Cohen cinema beneath Taylor Books on Capitol Street in Charleston. This presentation is part of the “Mondays that Matter” series of films which highlight social, environmental and justice issues.
On December 9, representatives of both sponsoring organizations will discuss current issues affecting displaced persons, what the Charleston community is doing to improve the ives of immigrants and asylum seekers, and how individuals can become involved.
Watch the trailer here. here
Buy tickets here. here
Suit Filed over Trump rule Allowing Local Officials to Reject Immigrants
HIAS, a Jewish-American nonprofit group, Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services filed suit on November 21, 2019 asking a federal district judge in Maryland to block enforcement of an Executive Order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump which gives local officials the right to reject resettlement of refugees in their state or local area. This rule can effectively separate families, adding to the hardships that refugees face in their home countries.
Read more about this lawsuit here.
Faith Over Fear
Shoulder to Shoulder is a national coalition-based campaign of religious denominations and faith-based organizations and communities that are committed to ending discrimination and violence against Muslims in the United States by equipping, connecting, and mobilizing faith leaders to effectively take action. Shoulder to Shoulder offers Faith Over Fear trainings where participants learn effective strategies to better advocate against a narrative of fear and divisiveness in our country.
As an interfaith organization, WVIRM is committed to open dialogue among all peoples. That is why we are attending the Faith Over Fear training in Charleston, WV on December 2, 2019 at Temple Israel.
For more information and to register for the event, follow this link.https://www.shouldertoshouldercampaign.org/trainings
West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry 
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