Recap: Considering that three-quarters of immigrants to the United States are women and children, more than 1,200 women from 70 organizations are fasting in 35 states for immigration reform that keeps families together and treats women fairly.
The month of fasting will culminate April 7-9th when 100 women will fast in DC for 48 hours.
Every day this week, MomsRising.org will share stories by the fasters here with the Daily Kos community. To see the first installment of stories, click here. Please show your support for the fasters in the comments section below and sign this MoveOn petition urging Speaker Boehner to meet with these courageous women!
Below the fold are a few testimonials by women in Missouri, North Carolina and D.C. on why they partook in the fast this month. The photo on the right is of North Carolina faster Beth Messersmith and her daughter.
Jennifer Bernstein, Missouri, "I will fast a mother of a four-year-old son"
"Stories such as my nana’s are why members of the Jewish community have always been so passionate about immigration issues. As Mick Jones of the Clash and Big Audio Dynamite wrote in the song “Beyond the Pale,” (probably the most compelling pro-immigration song I am aware of), a song about his Jewish grandparents’ journey to a better life in the UK, “but for accidents of disorder, that guy could well be me.” Today's undocumented immigrants could be all of us. I know not to presume that my fasting will make a giant impact on immigrant rights, but perhaps it will spur me to take a bigger stand for people whose voices are not yet heard."
Beth Messersmith, North Carolina, "I am fasting for an immigration reform that strengthens families"
"An immigration policy that makes children afraid of being separated from their parents is not reflective of our shared values as a people. Congress must come together to develop policies that are good for all our families, and recognize the damaging effects of separating American children from their parents or forcing them to start over in a country that is not their own."
Victoria Rumsey, Washington, D.C., "I will fast for those who have been silenced"
"I am the primary caretaker for my mother, who battles cancer each day. There are undocumented individuals out there who are the primary caretakers of their families, and they should be allowed to continue taking care of their families. I’m living the American Dream. And everyone should have access to the American Dream."