Immigrants' Rights
No policy of
terror in Kentucky
In 2011, an Arizona copy-cat was proposed here in Kentucky, Senate Bill 6. SB 6 would have mandated discrimination by requiring police officers to target people who seem like they might be undocumented. KFTC was part of a broad effort that successfully defeated the bill.
Here is what some members said about SB 6.
“The Bill of Rights says that we’re all innocent until proven guilty, but this won’t be true for people with darker skin and accents.”
Shekinah LaValle
Jefferson County
“SB 6 seeks to establish a sanctioned policy of terror that would systematically and willfully persecute Latinos living in Kentucky. It would wrongfully incarcerate innocent people for profit – including women and 
children.
"This is a crime against humanity. This is wrong. It is wrong in Rwanda, it is wrong in Sudan, it is wrong in North Korea, China or Nazi Germany. It is also wrong in Kentucky.”
Juan Gutierrez
Bowling Green legal
permanent resident
Read an op-ed published in the Georgetown News-Graphic by Scott County member Homer White about SB 6.
KFTC is working to create a society that supports the human rights of all people. We value the human rights of everyone, regardless of national origin, race, citizenship, immigration status or any other defining characteristic.
KFTC supports our allies in working for comprehensive immigration reform.
We also work to defend Kentucky against bad immigration legislation, especially attempts to divide our communities by colors and accents and places of birth. This is not what we want.
We want protected communities. We canʼt afford mandated discrimination. We want to stand united. Kentucky canʼt afford to turn neighbor against neighbor.
Learn more about the contributions of immigrants to Kentucky here.
Jefferson County Chapter discusses local issues
Last week’s Jefferson County Chapter meeting kicked off with a brief report from Mary Love about Alliance for Appalachia’s 8th Annual Week in Washington. Mary was a member of the KFTC delegation again this year. The Alliance focuses not only on ending mountaintop removal mining but is also working toward a just and sustainable transition in Appalachia.
Jared Zarantonello gave a presentation on WFOR Forward Radio, “a community-based, low power FM radio start-up and media project operating as an educational arm of the Louisville chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) in pursuit of peace and social justice. WFOR seeks to create a network of community partners to aid in building a more diverse and relevant model of media. This will ensure that our diverse local voices that are ignored by the mainstream media are heard and that the public interest is served through media.”
During the presentation, members shared their ideas for radion programming: story on the mission of St. George’s Community Center, Strange Fruit Podcast on LGBTQ issues, stories from TARC users, biking issues in Louisville, info from AARP, helping folks figure out if they owe taxes, and energy efficiency and renewables. If you have ideas you would like to share or if you want to learn more about WFOR contact Jared at, 502-468-6519 or [email protected].
Rally for Immigration Reform and Legalization with Dignity
Last week, a number of Ketucky Immigrant Rights groups got together with allies like KFTC and held the Rally for Immigration Reform and Legalization with Dignity. The event was timed in solidarity with numerous other immigrants' rights rallies happening across the US including a main event in Washington, DC.
New Kentuckians at the Capitol
Immigrants and allies will come together at the Capitol to meet legislators, build relationships and open a dialogue about the rights of immigrants in our Commonwealth. Press conference in the Capitol rotunda at 9:00 a.m. Register here.
Register for tomorrow's Immigrants' and Refugees' Advocacy Day!
Love Thy Neighbor! Tomorrow, KFTC members are joining KDVA and allies in Frankfort to talk to state legislators about the laws that affect the rights of immigrants and refugees, and a vision for Kentucky that includes the important contributions immigrants and refugees.
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