On September 28th, 2022, SWOP leaders participated in the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Policy Symposium “Building a People Powered Movement: Citizenship and Healthcare for ALL!” This event is an annual gathering where community members, allies and leaders strategize in policy areas that are crucial to the fight for equity and justice for immigrant and refugee families in Illinois.

SWOP leaders experienced powerful speakers such as Frank Chapman, Executive Director of CAARPR (Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression) and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the CEO of Sinai Chicago. One of SWOPs organizers, Adriana Velazquez served as MC to this program, sharing an empowering message of change, stating that this event was a clear indication of how change is being brought about when everyone works together toward common goals.

During the event, four separate sessions were held that focused on key issue areas, those being Stopping the Deportation Pipeline, Health Access For ALL!, Economic Justice for ALL, and Democracy in Action: Noncitizen Voting. In these sessions participants tackled issues of ICE using information to arrest and remove immigrants, reviewed the ongoing goals and strategies for Healthcare and Medicaid for immigrants, discussed the efforts that they are putting into healing economic inequities in marginalized communities, and delved into the need for more inclusive voting laws that allow noncitizen voting.

For more information about the conference, please contact Adriana Velasquez at avelazquez@swopchicago.org.

‍