APU Young Progressives will partner with Fast for Families in the nationwide fasting movement in support of immigration reform beginning Monday, Feb. 24.
The fast aims to raise on-campus awareness of the bipartisan immigration bill (S.744) that would create a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. The bill is now in the hands of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“We are one of the largest communities of evangelical Christians in the U.S., so we have a unique opportunity to take our faith into action and display our neighborly love for 11 million people,” senior political science major and Young Progressives Co-founder Steven Howard said. “Our hope is God hears all of the prayers coming his way on this issue and compels the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive reform with a path to citizenship.”
According to Howard, congressional members have also joined Fast for Families in their fasting efforts.
“I joined the fast because it was a creative and important way to stand up for justice,” said sophomore social work major and club member Hailey Underwood. “The club also puts spiritual practice in the forefront of the immigration issue.”
Young Progressives’ hope is for the APU community to recognize the issue of granting citizenship.
“I think a lot of APU students either don’t care about politics or don’t know about politics, so our main goal is to raise awareness of the issue,” said senior biblical studies major and Young Progressives President Audrey Nissly.
For more information on the Young Progressives club and the nationwide fast, see the following:
1. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtsXLOrbdUmGdHR6QnFEengtaFdBRkVQc0JJdDg2Y1E&usp;=sharing
2. Check out the Facebook page: APU Young Progressives Club
3. Find out more information: http://fast4families.org/about-the-fast/
If you are interested in joining the on-campus fast, here are the days that the Young Progressives Club will be fasting. The Young Progressives club will also have a table out on these days at the listed campuses for more information about immigration reform, immigration resources and the opportunity to contact Speaker John Boehner:
Feb. 10 (East)
Feb. 24 (West)
March 17 (East)
March 31 (West)
April 14 (East)