**FOCUS: IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRATION**
Contents
SOMERVILLE/STATE SIDE
SOMERVILLE AT LARGE
1) STATE BUDGET PROCESS BEGINS!
This week the House process begins, intensifying my work as a State Representative. The
time frame will be compressed; tomorrow, we are called to a Caucus on the Budget, which
will be released on Wednesday. We will then have until Friday to prepare and submit budget
amendments.
I care about your budget priorities, and I'd like to hear about what they are. Go to
www.mass.gov for the most current information on the state budget as it evolves. To give
me feedback, contact me at 617-722-2810, or denise.provost@state.ma.us
2) IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS RALLY TODAY
Another Rally for Immigrants' Rights will be held today, April 10, 2006, on Boston
Common, staring at 4 pm. The meeting place will be at the Pavilion, close to Park Street
Station. For more information, contact Warren Goldstein-Gelb, the new Director of
Somerville's own Welcome Project, at
warrengg@gmail.com
Warren asks that everyone spread the word to others who may be interested.
3) EXHIBIT, DISCUSSIONS ON EL SALVADOR CONNECTION FORUM
A) "FROM YUCUAIQUIN TO SOMERVILLE"
From now until May 22, 2006, at the Somerville Museum, you can visit an exhibit about a
local community that originated in the village of Yucuaiquin, El Salvador, and how that
community is maintaining its religious customs. The exhibit looks closely at El Baile de Los
Negritos, part of a celebration in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the
village.
Learn about Yucuaiquin, its pre-Christian roots, its faith and traditions, and why so many of
its people have moved to this area. The Somerville Museum is open Thursdays, from 2 until
7 pm; Fridays from 2 until 5 pm; and Saturdays from noon until 5 pm. Visit it at One
Westwood Road, at the corner of Central Street. Contact the Museum at 617-666-9810.
B) PANELS ON IMMIGRATION, THE YUCUAQUIN COMMUNITY....
Also at the Somerville Museum, there will be a panel on immigration, particularly from El
Salvador, On Thursday, April 27, 2006, at 7 pm. On Saturday, May 27, 2006, at 5 pm,
there will be a discussion on the future of the Yucuaquin community. For more information,
contact Sebastian Chaskel at Tufts University's Institute for Global Leadership, 617-627-3314,
or sebastian.chaskel@tufts.edu
4) PLAN NOW FOR A CLOSER LOOK AT GREEK IMMIGRATION
In September, 2006, the Somerville Museum will be hosting two related exhibits, one
looking at the impact of Greek immigration on Somerville and Greater Boston. The other
focuses on "1896-1918: The World of George Dilboy, Greek Immigrant & American Hero."
The Museum is asking now to hear from anyone who may have photographs or artifacts
relating to George Dilboy, or more generally to Somerville's Greek community in the 20th
century.
Former Governor Michael Dukakis is the Honorary Chair of the Exhibition Committee,
which also includes many local historians. There will be programming in addition to the
exhibits. Contact information for the Somerville Museum is given above.
5) IMMIGRANTS EXPERIENCING HARASSMENT OR DISCRIMINATION?
If you are one, or know of any, the Somerville Human Rights Commission wants to know
about it, and will try to help. In these times of uncertainty for federal immigration law and
policy, anti-immigrant sentiment finds fertile ground. If you, or your friends, neighbors,
patients, students, or clients have experienced bad treatment because of nationality or
immigrant status, contact Somerville Human Rights Director Mary Lu Mendonca, at 617-625-6600 or
mmendonca@ci.somerville.ma.us
Material from this newsletter may be quoted freely, provided that it is credited to Denise
Provost, www.provost-citywide.org
copyright 2006 Denise Provost
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