Prayer, Renewal, Action

Throughout this week, over 150 communities nationwide have joined together to pray for humane immigration reform in the 111th Congress.

In a campaign sponsored by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition (of which we--FCNL--are members), participants in these vigils are calling for:

1. Protection for immigrants and their families
2. Empowerment of the faith community to advocate on behalf of immigrants
3. Moral courage for Congress to take the necessary leadership to see that humane comprehensive immigration reform is passed

As my colleague with the United Methodist Church, Bill Mefford, said: "This tremendous response by people of faith is due to seeing the devastation of raids on immigrant families and local communities and the need for Congress to have the moral courage to enact just and humane comprehensive immigration reform."

Bishop Carcaño, who was in town last week for the Interfaith Immigration Coalition's press conference launching the Interfaith Platform on Humane Immigration Reform, followed by saying that "prayer is a powerful, fundamental aspect of our faith. When nothing else has changed hearts and changed minds in the past, prayer has been that changing factor. I believe in the power of prayer."

And seeing the impact and coverage these vigils have brought to the issue of comprehensive immigration reform in the last week, I'd be inclined to believe her. Not even 3/4 of the vigils have taken place, but here is a hint at what sort of impact they're having:

TV Coverage
**Please note: These links will only be live for 30 days, so check them out now while you can!**

News 2 This Morning Nashville, TN [Updated 2/26/2009]

Fox 2 News at 5 PM St. Louis, MO [Updated 2/26/2009]

KWWL News at Noon Cedar Rapids/Postvile, IA [Updated 2/26/2009]
Today in Iowa Cedar Rapids/Postvile, IA [Updated 2/26/2009]
KWWL News at Ten Cedar Rapids/Postvile, IA [Updated 2/26/2009]
CBS 2 News at 5 Cedar Rapids/Postvile, IA [Updated 2/26/2009]
KCRG TV9 News at Midday Cedar Rapids/Postvile, IA [Updated 2/26/2009]


Good Morning Washington Washington, DC [Updated 2/26/2009]
Eyewitness News Morning Edition Baltimore, MD [Updated 2/26/2009]
Good Morning Washington at 5:00 Washington, DC [Updated 2/26/2009]

Good Morning Arizona 6 AM Tuscon, AZ [Updated 2/26/2009]
Good Morning Arizona 5 AM Tuscon, AZ [Updated 2/26/2009]
Tuscon Tuscon Today at 5:30 AM Tuscon, AZ [Updated 2/26/2009]

Fox 4 at 6 pm Kansas City, MO [Updated 2/26/2009]
NBC Action News Midday Kansas City, MO [Updated 2/26/2009]
NBC Action News Today at 5:30 A.M. Kansas City, MO [Updated 2/26/2009]
Fox 4 at 9 pm Kansas City, MO
Fox 4 at 12 Noon Kansas City, MO

Good Morning Arizona Phoenix, AZ [Updated 2/23/2009]
ABC15 News at 5 am Phoenix, AZ [Updated 2/23/2009]
12 News at 10 pm Phoenix, AZ [Updated 2/23/2009]
ABC 15 News at 10 pm Phoenix, AZ [Updated 2/23/2009]
3 TV News at 9 Sunday Phoenix, AZ [Updated 2/23/2009]

News 10 NBC Today Rochester, NY
News 10 NBC Today at Eleven Rochester, NY

NBC 17 News at 6 Raleigh- Durnam, NC
ABC 11 Eyewitness News at 5 Raleigh-Durnam, NC
WRAL TV News at Noon Raleigh-Durnam, NC
ABC 11 Eyewitness News at Noon Raleigh-Durnam, NC

News 8 Update Dallas, TX

Channel 2 Action News Atlanta, GA
CBS Atlanta News at 11 Atlanta, GA


News Coverage
Newsday: Prayer Vigil Focuses on Immigration Reform [Updated 2/23/2009]

Ashville Citizen Times: Immigration Vigil Focuses on Reform [Updated 2/23/2009]

Jackson Clarion Ledger: Immigration Prayer Vigil Set for Carthage [Updated 2/23/2009]

Waterloo Courier- A Prayer from Postville: Vigil Urges Reform of Immigration Laws [Updated 2/23/2009]

Iowa Independent: Calls for Immigration Reform Continue in Postville [Updated 2/23/2009]

Decorah Journal: Renewed Hope [Updated 2/23/2009]

Bradenton Herald: Church to Hold Vigil for Migrants [Updated 2/23/2009]

Waco Tribune: Local News Briefs [Updated 2/23/2009]

El Diario La Prensa: Oran por reforma migratoria [Updated 2/23/2009]

Dallas Morning News: From Dallas church, people pray for ‘humane and just’ immigration reform

Idaho Press Tribune: Vigil will focus on immigration

Aurora Sentinel: Faith calls together crowd for immigration vigil

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Interfaith church vigil calls for immigration reform

WHEC News: Immigration reform prayer service

ABC 11 News: Immigration supporters pray for change

North Carolina News Network: Prayer For An End To Immigration Raids

Raleigh News & Observer: Prayer vigil focuses on immigration

WRAL News: Raleigh joins national vigil for immigration reform

Omaha World Herald: Bishops take on immigrant policies

Virginian Pilot: Religious group to host immigration talk in Va. Beach

Alter Net: Religious Leaders Help Shape Immigration Debate

Christian Post: Faith Leaders Re-Ignite Immigration Debate

The Hill: Immigration reform advocates push forward in tough economy

Decorah Journal: Postville prayer vigil Thursday

MSNBC: Immigration reform prayer service

Jersey Journal: Immigration vigil tonight

Catholic News Agency: Nebraska bishops use input from laity to tackle immigration reform

Columbus Telegram: Bishops urge care with immigrants

Cary News: Cary immigration reform group holds training session

Great Falls Tribune: Immigration bill targets illegal workers

San Diego Union Tribune: Bilingual workshop set to help with immigration

Annapolis Capital: Immigrants march to protest Va. county’s policies