from Nuha E. Muntasser, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Church World Service
World Refugee Day is quickly approaching on June 20th (also Juneteeth observed). It is important that we honor those forced from their homes to seek safety due to violence and persecution. This day recognizes their resilience, strength, and determination -- and our moral and legal imperative to fully restore refugee and asylum protections in the United States.
Now is the time to make your voices heard to tell your national, state, and local leaders to stand in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers and to hold the administration accountable to re-establish bold U.S. leadership to invest in our capacity to welcome people fleeing violence and persecution. On World Refugee Day - and every day - we affirm the spirit of welcome that our communities show when we embrace our new neighbors as friends, colleagues, and peers.
Here are the top ways to take action:
Contact Your Members of Congress: Click here to urge your Members of Congress to protect refugees and cosponsor the World Refugee Day resolution.
Contact your State and Local Lawmakers: Urge your state and local lawmakers to sign this letter calling on the President to meet his commitment to resettle refugees now and in fiscal year 2023.
Amplify on Social Media: Click here to use social media graphics and sample posts.
Here are some World Refugee Day events:
Friday, June 24 at 6:00-7:00pm: Concert on the indoor Millennium Stage featuring C4 Trio, Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan music ensemble. This event is free, tickets required. You can reserve your ticket online here.
Friday, June 24 at dusk: Screening of Encanto, Disney’s 2022 Oscar winner for best animated feature film. This event is free, no tickets or registration required.
Monday, June 20 at 6:00pm: World Refugee Day concert from the Kennedy Center’s digital archives. This online event is a rebroadcast of our 2021 World Refugee Day concert at the Kennedy Center
Here are additional resources:
RCUSA World Refugee Day Toolkit: You can reference this toolkit for advocacy and civic engagement information, social media and media guides as well as sample language, talking points, a sample state/local resolution, and contact information for refugee advocacy staff.
UNHCR World Refugee Day Overview, World Refugee Day Messaging, and World Refugee Day Toolkit
Immigrant Heritage Month Toolkit and This Week’s IHM Toolkit
Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s World Refugee Day Faith Toolkit, Social Media Toolkit, and interfaith event press release and recording