This editorial originally appeared in the Metro Times. Read in full here.

Here we are again, enduring yet another election season filled with inflammatory political rhetoric and campaign ads attacking immigrants. Attacks that seem to be everywhere. I can’t even casually scroll through social media without being traumatized.

The tactic of scapegoating and vilifying immigrants is far from new. But the intensity of these attacks, and the crazed turn things have recently taken, is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

I came to the United States from Mexico more than 40 years ago, moving here at the age of 4, when my farmworker parents brought our family to Michigan. For most of my childhood, we weren’t documented. Like the overwhelming majority of immigrants to this country, we worked extremely hard, obeyed the law, paid our taxes, and helped sustain the communities we became part of.

Life wasn’t easy. After leaving Mexico, we split our time between Michigan and Florida, following the harvests. At age 11, I joined my parents working in the fields, doing the back-breaking work of picking tomatoes, peppers, apples, oranges, and more. Always on the move, I would attend two or three different school districts every year. But having a better life meant receiving a good education, and so we persevered, despite the obstacles and discrimination we faced.

When I was 16, President Ronald Reagan’s amnesty program went into effect, putting me on a path to citizenship. As a result, eight years later, I was able to cast my first vote in the 1996 presidential race, and have been doing so in every election since then.

Read in full here

By: Eileen Hayes, Executive Director, Michigan Faith in Action (MFA)

Our community has experienced challenge after challenge - and we have overcome many of them together with perseverance, grit, and community. Our work is not done, but our spirit remains strong. 

As we approach an important Election Day, I am inspired by the work of our partners on the ground, those that are making relationships with their neighbors and ensuring that everyone has the information they need to cast their ballots on (or before) November 5. 

And I want you to be a part of it - in a fun way. 

This October 26th, Michigan Faith in Action, in partnership with the ACLU of Michigan, Michigan Faith in Action, Voters Not Politicians, North Flint Neighborhood Action Council, Flint Rising, Arab American Heritage Council, Communities First Inc. and our local election officials, will be hosting an Early Voting Party!

This event will bring together community members and local activists - and will be a great way to participate in early voting. 

There will be food, fun, and most importantly, a chance to cast your vote safely, securely, and early!

Did you miss the October 22 deadline to apply for an absentee ballot? Not to worry - you can still request an absentee ballot at the Flint City Clerk’s office. There is also still plenty of time to register to vote or update your registration address: you can do so, with proof of residency, at the Flint Clerk’s office until 8pm on Election Day and vote by absentee ballot immediately.

Visit michiganvoting.org to get all the information you need. 

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy - and our democracy is strongest when we are all active participants. 

So, this October 26th, I hope you will grab a friend or two and join us at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from 12-4pm to celebrate our democracy, engage in our local elections, and cast your vote early. 

See you there,

Eileen Hayes
Executive Director, Michigan Faith in Action (MFA)

Meal tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 100 attendees, and a raffle will be held toward the end of the event. Participation in this event, including receipt of meal tickets or raffle entry, is not conditioned on voting or registration status. This event is open to the public, and we encourage all to come celebrate with us!