the Coalition for Permanent Residency (CPR) hosted a reception in his honor at the Urban League in Minneapolis.CPR is an interfaith and advocacy based coalition that since early 2007 has been working with the Minnesota Congressional Delegation and local and national networks (NETWORK, A Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Advocates for Human Rights, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota...) urging the White House to grant early extensions of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to affected Liberians; and for passage of HR 1293 and SF 656, the Liberian Immigrant Refugee Fairness Act to grant permanent status to approximately 3,600 Liberians who have lived in the United States "temporarily" since 1991.
Scott Gray, CEO Minneapolis Urban League opened the reception with a welcome from the Urban League. CPR representatives presented a program: Mayalan Keita-Brown: African and American Association for Cooperation and Development served as MC; Ahmed Sirleaf, Advocates for Human Rights presented an update on DED and pending legislation in Congress; Theodosia Gray, Liberian on DED, described the multiple challenges of living a life in limbo on DED; Ginger K. Hedstrom, Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates provided background on the mission of CPR lived through our advocacy efforts locally and nationally.
In his remarks, Vice President Boakai described the harsh realities rooted in the civil war that forced so many Liberians to leave - and the current challenges in Liberia's reconstruction. He expressed deep gratitude to the United States for our ongoing support of Liberia and hospitality provided to Liberians living in the United States. Going on he expressed that the ideal would be for Liberians to return. However, he noted that the destruction of the infrastructure, lack of electricity, potable water, 80% unemployment, and lack of the opportunity for an education pose enormous challenges for those in Liberia. Passage of the Liberian Immigrant Refugee Fairness Act would allow Liberans on DED to return freely when the situation there improves rather than by forced departure. Proudly he stated that the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Administration "holds no political prisoners."
Vic Rosenthal, Jewish Community Action closed the afternoon by calling everyone to action by signing postcards urging President Obama to grant an immediate extension to DED and to join CPR in thanking Senator Klobuchar, Senator Franken, Congressman Ellision, Congresswoman McCollum for their leadership roles in advancing the Liberian Immigrant Refugee Fairness Act in Congress. Vice President Boakai signed a postcard before leaving the reception.
NOTE: Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center, Minnesota are home to the largest number of Liberians in Minnesota - estimated at more than 23,000.
