As people of faith, we the undersigned stand in solidarity with Migrant Justice and the call for human rights for all our communities. We have heard the stories of farmworkers unable to leave their farms to get food or to see a doctor for medical treatment.  We have heard the stories of authorities judging farmworkers by the color of their skin.  We have heard the stories about long hours and low wages, and visited with workers in crowded, inadequate housing. We believe we are called to be co-creators of something better.

We come from a variety of faith traditions, which all speak to the inherent dignity and worth of all people*.  We know that migrant farmworkers and all immigrants in Vermont are our fellow workers and neighbors, deserving dignity, just treatment, and freedom of movement.  They are our sisters and brothers who contribute to the well-being of our communities.

Our beliefs lead us to support and endorse the efforts of Migrant Justice* and to work collaboratively to support EVERYONE'S human rights to:

        * Freedom of movement and access to transportation;
        * Dignified and safe work, quality health care and adequate housing;
* Equal treatment and recognition before the law;
        * Freedom from discrimination and arbitrary detentions;

We invite others to join us in supporting the human rights and dignity of Vermont's farmworkers, immigrants and ALL inhabitants of our communities.




Notes:
*The Hebrew Bible tells us: "The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:33-34)." In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger (cf. Matthew 25:35), for "what you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me (Matthew 25:40)."The Qur'an tells us that we should “do good unto…the needy, the neighbor among your own people, and the neighbors who is a stranger, and the friend by your side, and wayfarer (Asad Translation 4:36).” The Hindu scripture Taitiriya Upanishad tells us: “The guest is a representative of God (1.11.2).”  And in an affirmation of the abundance in our world we hear from the Buddha “Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”

*For more information about Migrant Justice go to: www.migrantjustice.net, info@migrantjustice.net, or call 802-658-6770