Virginia Organizing Project co-sponsored a Richmond forum, Sus Derechos Como Inmigrante/Your Rights as an Immigrant, on Saturday, August 26. Other sponsors included the Hispanic outreach offices of the Governor and of Richmond and Chesterfield County, as well as the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Servicios Para Refugiados e Inmigrantes, and Centro de Justicia y Ayuda Legal.

The forum used skits to help immigrants to learn more about their rights and responsibilities at local and state levels, and to encourage immigrants to get involved in their communities in the USA.

Four skits (dramatizaciones) were performed in Spanish and were titled:

1. Do you know that there are federal, state and local laws?
2. What about you, would you like to become the president of the United States?
3. Can I go to the university if I am an immigrant? And…what about Senate Bill 677? I am very concerned about it . . . and you?
4. Can I vote if I am an immigrant?

A summary about each skit was given in English. All participants were volunteers from the local Spanish speaking communities.

Laura Castro, a volunteer in the skits and a participant in VOP’s Leadership Institute said, “This kind of forum should be held several times to help people understand they have rights and they can be involved.”

Assistant Secretary of Education Douglas Garcia shared his experience of growing up in Northern Virginia, attending college and working in public life. He talked about the work of his office and answered questions about education policies. He encouraged everyone to be actively working on all concerns of civil rights.

Virginia State Senator Benjamin Lambert talked about growing up in Virginia and serving in the General Assembly. He said he was supportive of Senate Bill 677 and will continue to support education rights for all citizens. Senator Lambert reviewed the process of how laws are passed in Virginia, answered questions from the audience, and encouraged everyone to get involved.

All participants received an information folder, which contained handouts on the General Assembly, talking to state legislators and raising the minimum wage in Virginia. An information sheet with the most frequently asked questions about public schools and public education was also included in the folder.

“We need to hold this type of forum throughout the state. The Latino community has expressed interest in any information involving their rights and responsibilities as members of what is for them a new community to which they very much desire to belong,” said Cristina Rebeil.

For more information, contact Cristina Rebeil at (804) 643-1086.