NYC, July 7: Rally to Support Roxroy Salmon

NYC Unites to Help Immigrant Dad Remain with his Family of U.S. Citizens

WHAT: Roxroy Salmon, a Brooklyn father and community activist, faces his final hearing in immigration court on Tuesday morning. Supporters will rally in front of the immigration building at 26 Federal Plaza in a public display of solidarity to help keep Mr. Salmon in New York, where he can continue to care for his children and provide for his family.

WHEN: Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 from 8am – 10:30am

WHERE: 26 Federal Plaza, (Broadway side) New York, NY
Take the R/W to City Hall, the 1/2/3, A/C, E, J/M/Z to Chambers St, the 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, or the N/Q to Canal St).

SPEAKERS:
Ray Salmon, Roxroy’s brother, a U.S. citizen fighting to keep his brother here
Religious leaders from the New Sanctuary Coalition
Members of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York
Members and Staff of Families for Freedom … and MORE!

SPONSOR:
The Roxroy Salmon Defense Committee is composed of representatives from: The New Sanctuary Movement of New York City, The First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, Families for Freedom

For more information:
http://justiceisfreedom.wordpress.com/

Read media coverage of Roxroy Salmon's case:
http://justiceisfreedom.wordpress.com/media-archive/

BACKGROUND: Religious and community leaders in New York City are speaking out in support of Roxroy Salmon, a 52-year-old Jamaican national who has lived in the US for over 30 years and is now facing deportation. A father and grandfather, he is at risk of deportation because of our unjust and punitive immigration system. Decades ago, Roxroy was pressured to plead guilty to two minor drug-related offenses. Although he was never required to serve a day in jail, these convictions may tear his family apart. Roxroy is the primary caregiver for his US citizen children and infant grandchild and a great support to his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease; she too is a citizen. “I live and breathe for my children," he says. “It is my greatest honor. I teach them decency and moral values because I was brought up that way. I teach them to be good human beings; to love God, themselves and their neighbors.” His daughter, Nyasha Salmon, 16, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, explains that her father has always been an enduring presence in her life. “When asked to define the word father, I can say that the best definition is ‘Roxroy Salmon.’”

Through two years of community events and vigils leading up to this hearing, Mr. Salmon has garnered strong support from Representative Edolphus (Ed) Towns of the 10th District of New York and over 1,000 congregants of the First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, and has collected 1,200 petition signatures from New York residents.