AMOR Network Requests We Flood Offices With Calls NOW to Combat ICE in Rhode Island.
The RI legislative sessions ends in 11 days. The Speaker just changed mid-session, and the leadership has taken 3 years to do anything with a bill that would end ICE detention in Rhode Island by banning contracts like the one currently held by the Wyatt Detention Center.
However, we believe this is mostly due to inaction. There is no real opposition to this bill to speak of, and we've had promising meetings with Senate and House leadership in the past couple of weeks to indicate this bill might have a chance!
While we're lobbying lawmakers inside the State House, we need Rhode Islanders to place calls in support of these bills. We're told 20-50 calls a day mean their secretaries will report a high call volume to them, which increases our chances as lawmakers start bargaining over which bills they'll bring to the floor for a vote.
Happy to answer any questions about the bills, but if you've heard enough and want to help, here's who we need to contact. It especially helps if you're from their district, but Rhode Island voters should all speak to their leadership about these bills.
Call These Lawmakers as often as twice a day until June 12th
Sample script: "Hi my name is ___ and I'm a Rhode Islander concerned about ICE. I'm calling to show my support for S2278 which would cancel the ICE contract at the Wyatt Detention Center. I would like this bill as well as the bills in the package of 7 ICE bills to be brought to the floor for a vote." (see below for the other bill #s if asked)
Senate President
Valerie Lawson
E. Providence District 14
401- 222- 4901
sen-lawson @ rilegislature . gov
Speaker of the House
Christopher Blazajewski
Providence District 2
401- 222- 2466
rep-blazajewski @ rilegislature . gov
To Say you support the following bills
"S" indicates a senate bill to call your senator about,
"H" is the companion house bill when calling the House.
S 2278 / H 7436 - End ICE contract with the Wyatt
7 bills involving ICE that are up for consideration and endorsed by RIBLIAA caucus as a package:
S 2047 / H 7198 - Close sentencing loopholes that trigger deportations for minor offenses
S 2605 / H 7202 - Allows citizens to sue ICE when their rights are violated
S 2608 / H 7211 - Bans ICE from using non-respiratory masks (face coverings to hide ID)
S 2045 / H 7360 - Bans ICE from courthouses
S 2828 / H 7689 - Access RI Works Benefits faster for immigrant communities.
S 2967 / H 8140 - Prohibits local police forces from working with ICE
S 2966 - Provides Virtual Court appointments for all court dates.
More Influential Lawmakers to Call About These Bills Right Now:
House Majority Leader
Representative Katherine S. Kazarian
District 63
East Providence, Pawtucket
(401) 222 - 2466
rep-kazarian @ rilegislature .gov
Senate Majority Leader
Frank Ciccone
District 7
Providence, Johnston
(401) 276-5579
sen-ciccone @ rilegislature .gov
Thank you!