On Washington and Immigration Reform

Troy Jackson writes about some of his experience in Washington two weeks ago and Stephen Colbert’s testimony to the congressional subcommittee on immigration last week. You can read what he says on Sojourner’s blog here.

It was a privilege to walk with Pastor Troy Jackson last week in Washington DC to speak to power about immigration reform, the DREAM Act, and Ag Jobs. Twenty-six of us from the state of California spoke directly and clearly to Nancy Pelosi and her staff. When they said they were in favor of reform, we asked them to take action—we don’t need empathy, we need new policy. When 50 of us stood in Senator Lindsey Graham’s office (and others where in 5 other Senator’s offices), declining to leave when asked, singing Amazing Grace and praying a blessing on the Senator and his staff and inviting the Senator to return to reasonable negotiations on immigration reform we made page 18 of Roll Call, the newspaper of Capitol Hill. When Stephen Colbert was invited by Rep. Zoe Lofgren to testify about his experience creating a comedy bit about farm workers with Arturo Rodriguez of United Farm Workers, he drew the attention of the nation to an issue that affects millions. Just like his character on his own show, his biting sarcasm made me cringe. Yet, on this day a comedian spoke with a prophet’s voice.