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…April 24 set as “Liberian Immigration Action Day”
 Heads of the various member organizations of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA), convening in the First Quarterly Meeting of the National Leadership Council (NLC) in Trenton, New Jersey, over the weekend, have proclaimed the Month of April as National Immigration Advocacy Month.
In their Proclamation issued at the end of the session the NLC warned of “the perils of the non-extension of the TPS designation to the success of building democracy in Liberia and to the economic revival of our war ravaged nation.” The NLC, in its Proclamation, further noted that “it remains evident that a concerted and sustained action on the part of all Liberians is crucial to securing a panacea to this problem.”
In the Proclamation, ULAA National President Emmanuel S. Wettee called on all Liberians to demonstrate actions by requesting their respective congressional members to support the Liberian Immigration Bill, S-656.
In the deliberations following the adoption of the Proclamation, NLC members exchanged ideas on various approaches to the immigration struggle. The Council members unanimously endorsed April 24, 2007 as National Immigration Action Day. On this day, the various chapters of the Union and other Liberian communities are mandated to execute specific advocacy actions to call attention to the TPS issue.
The NLC meeting followed an intensive immigration workshop which featured prominent immigration activists. Presentations on various aspects of the immigration fight were made to participants. Among those addressing the participants were Ms. Elizabeth King, Legislative Assistant to Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed; Dr. Denise Mutchiaka, Executive of the Center for Survivors of Torture; Attorney Regan Cooper, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizens Coalition; Mr. Christopher Nippy, First Secretary for Political, Consular, & Diaspora Affairs at the Liberian Embassy in D.C.; and Mr. Voffee S. Jabateh, Executive Director of the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA).
Heads and representatives of various ULAA Chapters also addressed participants on immigration initiatives in their respective chapters. Chapter presidents present at the event were Mr. S. Ballah Massaquoi of South Jersey, Mrs. Minerva Grant-Settro of Wisconsin, Mr. Gaye D. Sleh, Jr. of Illinois, Mr. George Curtis of Staten Island, Mrs. Margaret Jones of North Jersey, Mr. Bartee C. Togba of Pennsylvania, Mr. Boniface Satu of D.C., Mr. Nyepan Tarpehdoe of Massachusetts and Vice President Mariah Collins of Connecticut. Chapters represented by special accredited delegates were Rhode Island by Mr. Milen King; Ohio, by Mr. Jusu Hena; and Maryland, by Mr. Abba S. Budu.
ULAA National Board Chairman Anthony V. Kesselly and his First Vice Chairman, Mr. James Larsah, along with some other Board members, graced the occasion. Three Former ULAA national leaders also attended the event. They are Mr. Leslie N.A. Cole (1976 – 1977), Mr. Bai M. Gbala (1979 – 1980), and Mr. Al Gbi Toe (1990 – 1991).
ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
Isaac S. Zawolo, Jr.
NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY |
