Embracing the Immigrant

I didn't actually embrace anyone today but I did attend an event this morning at St. John the Divine Cathedral called "Embracing the Immigrant". I was there to man NEDAP's booth and preach about the Immigrant Financial Justice Project (which I'm volunteering for this semester)-- basically spread the word about NEDAP's economic justice programs, trainings, and educational workshops. Well, I set up my table, handed out fliers, and hopefully tuned enough people in on NEDAP as a resource. Dey had given me my packet of handouts the night before but I didn't have the flashy postcards, glossy brochures, cards, and posters that other groups had. I had booth envy. SIGH. I should have had a candy bowl but I was too lazy to buy a bag.

Sadly, the event didn't have the turnout people were expecting and that was disappointing, so i didn't get to do much preaching. Wan-Xin thankfully kept me company at the table. Otherwise it would have just been me and Al (Haitian lawyer at the next booth, from the NY Immigration Hotline). Al would quiz me on my financial justice knowledge (Q. What is an ITIN?). Wan-Xin and I ended up reading the NY Times paper most of the time. I didn't feel so guilty. NY Immigrant Coalition next to us seemed a little bored too.

The event was basically a faith-based sponsored event, gathering various immigrant advocates from the religious community, as well as partner community-based organizations. Breakout workshops were held on topics such as 'Immigrant Worker Rights' and 'Health Services for Immigrants'-- maybe the turn out was better for the workshops but the folks at the booths saw little traffic. Most people that streamed by were tourists checking out the cathedral space. As conservative and and out of touch as most faith-based organizations can be, they are remarkably progressive, and maybe even radical when it comes to immigrant issues in this country, taking a more human rights-based approach and denouncing a punitive approach to cracking down on illegal immigration. I respect that.

My only rant: It was friggin' freezing inside!! Space heaters, people!!! But i guess when you hold an event inside the "biggest cathedral in the world", it's bound to be a bit chilly in there. Stone, marble, and stain glass are not exactly the warmest environs.

Some interesting highlights:

Wan-Xin at the NEDAP booth.

Al doing his plug for his organization.

Railing from the pulpit... Pulpit quote of the day: "It's better to light a small candle than to curse the darkness" or something like that....apparently, according to Wan-Xin, it's a lyric in a song...

Cultural performance at the end. Latina dance troupe right before they do their dance routine. They were adorable!

Resident peacock in the outside garden. Yes, it's an albino peacock, folks! What the??!!

We wanted him to show us his plummage but I said that peacocks only do that to attract mates. So I guess he wasn't into us....

Still not feeling it...

Dominican music on Low Library Steps. Hispanic Heritage Month this month! Salsa, Bachata anyone? Oh gotta love the accordian!