Hispanic, Caribbean and African-American Pastors challenge immigration critics

By African American Clergy for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (AACCIR)

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A coalition of African-American, Caribbean-American and Hispanic-American pastors will hold a joint press conference on Tuesday, May 10 at 2:30 p.m. to respond to scurrilous attempts by immigration foes to divide ethnic groups in order to derail comprehensive immigration reform.

Pastors from across the country formed the African American Clergy for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (AACCIR) to advance immigration reform initiatives in Washington. They also are challenging the divisive charges that Hispanic and Caribbean immigrants are stealing jobs, public resources and civil rights advancements from African Americans.

WHAT: African-American, Caribbean-American and Hispanic pastors' coalition challenges
immigration opponents and urges comprehensive immigration reform
WHEN: Tuesday, May 10, 2:30 PM
WHERE: Colonial Room, Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Ave. NW
SPEAKERS:

• Rev. Derrick Harkins, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington D.C.
• Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA
• Bishop Orlando Findlayter, Chairman, Churches United to Save and Heal, New York, NY
• Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr., Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Houston, Texas

Members of the Hispanic faith community are in the nation's capital May 10-12 for the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference. President Barack Obama will deliver the keynote address at the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, May 12 at 7 a.m.

Esperanza is one of the largest faith-based Hispanic organizations in the United States. Through our work and network of 12,000 churches and civil-society organizations, we strive to show God's love and care by mobilizing and equipping Latino people to serve and advocate for our Hispanic community.

SOURCE African American Clergy for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (AACCIR)