Free Immigration Presentation by Indivisible Manatee at Central Library Mar. 17

BRADENTON — Indivisible Manatee will host its third Community Conversation for area residents, focusing on controversial immigration policies instituted by the current administration. “Neighbors Not Strangers: Immigration Policies in Today’s World” will take place on March 17th at the Central Library from 6:00 pm – 7:45 pm.

The panel discussion will cover the legal challenges confronting our immigrant population, as well as the often-overlooked and underreported contributions of these members of our community.

Speakers will include legal experts and community activists John Dubrule, attorney and co-founder of Dubrule and Lowell PLLC and founder of GulfCoast Legal Services’ Immigration Unit; Kelly Kirschner, chair of UnidosNow and past mayor of Sarasota; and C.J. Czaia, practicing attorney, community activist, and longtime advocate for the Hispanic community and co-founder of UnidosNow.

They will share the latest updates on the policies pursued by the current administration and the dangers they present to Americans and our valued neighbors. The panel will be moderated by Henry Raines, administrator of Onward and Empowered of FL, Inc. They will share the economic and cultural impact of immigrants in our community and the legal challenges they face in today’s political environment.

Karen Curlin, IM spokesperson and founding member, explained how this event seeks to inform Manatee voters about issues and concerns that impact their quality of life and the future of our community.

“Our goal is to ensure that residents have accurate and timely information about our immigrant neighbors,” Curlin said, “and to help them understand strategic ways they can be more active in providing support to those targeted by dangerous directives of the current administration.” She added that IM wants to empower Manatee residents to seek justice for those facing inhumane and often illegal tactics to remove them from their homes and families.

Attendees can support the Food 4 Neighbors program, sponsored by the Immigration Justice Coalition of Southwest Florida, by bringing food and supplies for immigrants. The Manatee League of Women Voters will be on-site to answer voters’ questions and to assist them in checking their voter status. This is very important because new voting laws in Florida have made it more difficult for Floridians to vote.

This program is free of charge, but space will be limited. Advance registration is highly recommended and can be done at mobilize.us/indivisiblemanatee/event/916481/. For more information about this presentation and future Indivisible Manatee activities, contact IndManateeinfo@gmail.com.