Workshop to offer tools to counter an Arizona-type bill in Nebraska

 How people of faith can be a strong voice for positive immigration reform while countering a proposed Arizona-type law in Nebraska will be the focus of a special Peacemaking Workshop Jan. 16 at First United Methodist Church, 50th St. and St. Paul Ave. in Lincoln. 
    "Current Immigration Policy:  a Cultural Sin" will be the topic of a 1:30 p.m. presentation by the Rev. Frederick J. McCullough, pastor of Omaha's historic St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church. 
    Following his inspiring message, S.A. Mora James, a Latina attorney working on immigration issues in Nebraska, will detail the problems with the recently-passed Arizona law targeting undocumented immigrants, and a bill to be introduced by state Sen. Charlie Janssen of Fremont to institute a similar potentially discriminatory law in Nebraska. 
    She and other speakers will address issues of racial profiling, violation of constitutional rights and practical considerations such as the cost of  such legislation at the state and local level.  Particular attention will be given to the ways in which such legislation undermines community policing and efforts of local law enforcement to build trust with Latinos and other minorities. 
    State Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha will speak at 4 p.m., sharing her own views on immigration reform and the prospects for Janssen's bill.  Council is a member of the Legislature's Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on the bill and other immigration proposals, including a possible alternative resolution calling for comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level. 
    The workshop will conclude with a call for church leaders, congregations and citizens in general to educate people about immigration and bring a message of social justice to the issue.  Everyone attending the workshop will receive an information packet with helpful resources and materials.  Workshop participants will discuss effective ways to influence legislation, and have an opportunity to write letters to state senators. 
    At 5:30 p.m. participants are invited to share a light supper catered by El Chaparro Restaurant. 
    At 6:30 pm. the film "9500 Liberty" will be shown. It is a highly-acclaimed documentary about the impact of an anti-immigrant ordinance in Prince William County, Va.   
    All events are free and open to the public, except for free-will donations for the meal. Participants are invited to attend any or all of the events throughout the day.   
    The workshop is co-sponsored by First United Methodist Church, Nebraska Wesleyan University, the Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans for Peace and the Peacemaking Workshop coalition of churches and civic groups. 
    For more information visit www.fmclincoln.org/peacemakingworkshop/2011 or call First United Methodist Church at (402)466-1906. 
  
For more information contact Bob Reeves at (402)464-1803, bobreeves63@yahoo.com; or Coleen Seng at (402)466-1906, coleen@firstumclincoln.org.