- Epworth
Sanctuary Action Update 9/19
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant Seeking Court Support
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (95 7th Street, San Francisco) is scheduled to hear the government's appeal in East Bay Sanctuary Covenant v. Trump. Last year, District Court Judge Tigar ruled in favor of EBSC (and other plaintiffs), finding that a new regulation enacted by the Trump Administration violated the immigration laws of our country. This regulation would have barred asylum seekers from applying for asylum if they entered anywhere than through a designated point of entry. Judge Tigar ordered a preliminary injunction, stopping the regulation from going into effect. The Ninth Circuit will hear various arguments stemming from the government's appeal.
EBSC is asking people who are available to attend the hearing in support of EBSC and asylum-seekers. The hearing begins at 9 am, and supporters are asked to arrive by 8:30 am. EBSC is a legal lifeline to immigrants! Please meet up with Pat Bruce-Lerrigo and Christina Kellogg at 8:20 in front of the court house to support them, and let them know if you're coming. Questions? Visit https://eastbaysanctuary.org or email christina@christinakellogg.tv.
Would you like to join Epworth's Accompaniment Team?
Many of you know that Epworth has had an Accompaniment Team for a few years. Kit Schweizer continues to coordinate it, working with the Nueva Esperanza group of the statewide Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. Briefly, Accompaniment's purpose is to shepherd asylum-seekers in acclimating to life here. Most recently many of you helped our Salvadoran asylum-seeker, Sandra and her children, find and furnish an apartment, and transformed the choir room into emergency sleeping quarters.
We hope to take on a new family this fall. New and current members of the team must attend training in order to participate. There are two upcoming training sessions:
Sunday, October 6, 2-5 pm at St. Mark's Church (1111 O'Farrell St, San Francisco, CA 94109)
Sunday, November 3, 2-5 pm: Contra Costa County - location TBD
Several of us have registered for one or the other of the trainings. We're eager to expand our support for local refugee families, so please join us.
