Rapid Response Volunteer Training

Rapid Response Volunteer Training
Sunday, March 16, 2-4pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
600 Colorado, Palo Alto

Learn how to legally document and monitor ICE officials during immigration raids in real-time. This training will equip volunteers to respond in both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.  

Pangea Legal Service will lead this training, which is sponsored by MVPJ, St. Mark's Episcopal Church Palo Alto, Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, SURJ Santa Clara County, Faith in Action Bay Area, American Muslim Voice Foundation, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto, First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, Trinity Church in Menlo Park (Episcopal), First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, All Saints Episcopal Church of Palo Alto, and Valley Presbyterian Church of Portola Valley.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Ask your Congress members to cosponsor the NO BAN Act

Join the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) in urging our U.S. Senators and Representatives to cosponsor the NO BAN Act.

From NRCAT: In President Trump’s first term, through three iterations of executive orders, people from several Muslim-majority and African countries were barred from entering the U.S. on most or all types of visas. On the election trail, he vowed not only to reinstate the “Muslim Ban” he imposed as President in 2017, but to expand it. On his first day back in office this January, he previewed a travel ban which could go into effect at any time between now and March 21. In response, the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act was reintroduced in the U.S. Congress last week by Rep. Judy Chu in the House of Representatives and Sen. Chris Coons in the Senate. 

CLICK HERE for more information and to urge your U.S. Senators and Respresentatives to sign on as a cosponsor and supporter the NO BAN Act.

CLICK HERE to sign the National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights petition to the U.S. Senate: Pass the No Ban Act.

Statement Against Christian Nationalism

The Steering Committee of Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice issued this Statement Against Christian Nationalism on March 4, 2025. A slightly shorter version was published in The Mercury News on March 6, 2025 and titled "Americans of conscience must reject Christian nationalism."

Here is the full text:

 As a multifaith organization committed to peace and justice, we call on all governments in the U.S. including local, state, and federal to protect religious freedom. 

We affirm that true religious freedom includes both the right to practice one’s faith and the right to live free from the imposition of religious beliefs through government policy. In the United States we believe the rise of Christian Nationalism in particular threatens this freedom.  

When religion is used as a tool of political power, it often leads to the suppression of fundamental human rights. Therefore, we reject any attempt to use religious doctrine as a basis for governance in a way that restricts reproductive justice, denies LGBTQ individuals equal protection under the law, or marginalizes communities based on faith, race, identity, or national origin.

As people of diverse faiths and ethical traditions, we share a common calling to resist oppression and stand for a society where diversity is celebrated, and justice, equality, and compassion guide our shared future. We call on all people of conscience to reject Christian Nationalism and to work together to uphold the dignity, freedom, and rights of all.

San Mateo County Immigrant Support Opportunities

FAITH IN ACTION BAY AREA serves San Mateo and San Francisco Counties. Their Rapid Response work is growing. Here are ways you can support it (whether or note you live in San Mateo County!):

1. Share hotline material with your community.
HOTLINE PHONE: 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA)
Click on the following links for downloadable PDFs:
Report ICE Action poster (English)
Reporta a la Migra poster (ESP)
Community Response Line yellow cards for ICE sightings, immigration problems and attorney referrals (ENG)
Linea de Respuesta Comunitaria tarjetas para problemas migratorios y referirlo con abogados (ESP)
NOTE: Printed material will be available at the March 16 Rapid Response Training.

2. Call the hotline if you see or learn that someone has been detained by immigration enforcement, or if someone needs accompaniment at an ICE Check-In or court appearance. HOTLINE PHONE: 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA)

3. Become a trained verifier
CLICK HERE to sign up for upcoming trainings.
Our Rapid Response Training on March 16 will train you for this!

4. Donate to mutual aid for impacted families: 100% of donations go directly to provide material and legal support for families impacted by ICE detention or deportation. CLICK HERE. 

ACTION ALERT: Free Ulises Pena Lopez

URGENT ACTION NEEDED TO FREE ULISES

Out of the mud grows the lotus: Reflections from a Peaceful Presence

On January 11, 2025, our Peaceful Presence was hosted by the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple. Sydney Shiroyama, the Minister's Assistant and one of the leaders, later wrote an inspiring reflection on that gathering in light the Day of Remembrance and the ongoing political situation today. Click here to download and read her full article. Excerpts are included here, and the picture is from the service.

We post this with deep gratitude for Sydney's insights and for the wisdom and hope shared with us from the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple community - on January 11 and ongoing through our friendships. We need one another!

Excerpts from article by Sydney Shiroyama:

The theme of the January event was "Out of the mountain of despair - a stone of hope; Out of the mud grows the lotus." The phrase, “Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,” is engraved in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C., and it is a famous line in his “I Have a Dream” speech. It serves as a reminder that even during times of great difficulty, the possibility of hope still exists. Rev. Koyama added a Buddhist metaphor with a similar meaning: “Out of the mud grows the lotus.” The lotus flower's emergence from muddy waters symbolizes transformation, enlightenment, and the power of perseverance.

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This is the best way to learn about upcoming MVPJ events, efforts and calls to act, as well as stay up to date about where our monthly "Peaceful Presence" gatherings will be held.

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Peaceful Presence Gatherings on 11th of Every Month

Monthly Multifaith Prayers for Peace and Justice
7-7:30pm on 11th of every month
NEXT GATHERING: Tuesday, March 11 - hosted by First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer St., Palo Alto. HYBRID event (Zoom info below) PLUS come a little early (between 6 and 7) to share a bowl of soup and friendship with us.  A vegan soup option will be available. THEME: the nearness of one another, of love, wisdom, help and support during times that can feel isolating.

Peaceful Presence is sometimes hosted in-person, sometimes by Zoom, and sometimes hybrid (with both options - to join in person or via Zoom). Watch for updates!

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice coordinates “Peaceful Presence” gatherings, a monthly prayer service on the evening of the 11^th of each month, offering a time of quiet multifaith prayers for peace and justice and strength for the journey. Each gathering is hosted by a different local faith community, includes contributions from diverse faith traditions, and has its own format and theme.

All are welcome: those of all faith traditions and of no defined faith, those who are suffering at the hands of their own government, those who need a pause in the midst of intensive work on behalf of others, and all who would like to pray with others for the well-being of all.  The prayer time will include elements from several religious traditions.

Upcoming: 
Tuesday, March 11 - hosted by First Lutheran Church, 600 Homer St., Palo Alto. HYBRID event (Zoom info below) PLUS come a little early (between 6 and 7) to share a bowl of soup and friendship with us.  A vegan soup option will be available. THEME: the nearness of one another, of love, wisdom, help and support during times that can feel isolating.
Friday, April 11 - tba
Sunday, May 11 - tba
Wednesday, June 11 - Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Photos from Inauguration Eve Multifaith Community Gathering

"We are deciding to love!" was the call of the Inauguration Eve Multifaith Community Gathering held on January 19, 2025.

More than 200 people came together from diverse faiths and spiritual backgrounds to be inspired and guided by local faith and civic leaders and choirs, and simply by being together, to commit to solidarity and love.

The event began with a procession of faith and civic leaders, and calls to prayer from Buddhist, Jewish, Baha'i and Muslim traditions.

Rev. Dean Koyama and Rev. Gerald Sakamoto offered Buddhist chants. Rabbi Chaim Koritzinsky blew the Shofar from the Jewish tradition.
Aasim Shaihu gave the Muslim Azan (Call to Prayer).The Eastside College Preparatory School was one of three choirs that inspired us!

Photos from MLK Community Sing! Jan 20 2025

Here are just of few of the wonderful photos of our MLK Community Sing! on January 20 in Mitchell Park.
About 60 people gathered to raise our voices with song for peace, justice and hope.

Local singer/songwriter Deborah Levoy led us in song. Local Spoken Word artist Andrew Ramirez of Know Expressions? contributed his awesome Spoken Word piece, "American Eyes."

These photos were taken by Alfred Leung of ProBonoPhotos.org. CLICK HERE to see all of the wonderful pictures from this event!

Thank you Alfred and ProBonoPhotos!