Join us in this action!
Alert one of the contacts below of your participation.

Purpose: To bring border issues and comprehensive immigration reform to the attention of policymakers in a dramatic way that can also attract media and public attention

Action:

1. Print the Border Working Group (BWG) sticker onto a page of 3.5 by 5 labels (Avery 5168). Download labels here Note that each sticker has a different story, so spread them around.
2. Buy bottles of water, remove the existing label, and affix the BWG label on the water bottle.
3. Deliver* the water bottles to your members of Congress in their home districts during the week of September 20, 2004, or to another audience that you have identified (see “Modifications” below) along with accompanying information explaining border issues. Download accompanying information here

   *There were concerns that the delivery of water bottles would be restricted because of “terrorism” fears. In DC, we have contacted the Congressional police who said there is no problem if we hand-delivered water bottles outside of Congress. If you are concerned that your action might be scrutinized by the police, check with them first.

Media:

• Write a press release to alert your media contacts that you will be delivering water bottles to members of Congress. The visual aspect of the water bottle will attract media attention.
• Consider staging a dramatic and visual way of delivering the water bottles.
• Call your media contacts before you make the water delivery.
• Alert one of the contacts below about your participation so that we can attract national media attention.

Possible Modifications:

• The BWG’s audience is policymakers; therefore, the message on the label is fairly simple and mentions specific legislation. The BWG plans to distribute additional information on a flyer accompanying the water bottle. Feel free to modify the message on the water bottle to fit your local advocacy efforts. Keep in mind that, in order to have impact, the message should be brief. More explanation can be provided in an accompanying flyer. Note that if these bottles are delivered to members of Congress, please use the language provided by the Border Working Group for that specific effort.
• You can pass out 2 water bottles or 200, but the BWG does ask that if you do participate, please deliver at least 2 water bottles to at least one member of Congress. The more you can do, the better!
• Other audiences you may consider are local elected officials or the public at large, depending on your local situation.

Background:

This water bottle action is one of several activities that the Border Working Group (BWG) has coordinated in DC in order to raise awareness of and change policies on the border. Other specific activities have included Capitol Hill briefings, border deaths alerts to Congress, and an annual pilgrimmage. The BWG is a coalition of faith-centered and human rights groups based in Washington, DC. With partners on the border, the BWG comes together out of concern for and in solidarity with migrants and those who live within the U.S.-Mexico border areas. Through advocacy and education, the BWG works to see that the policies of the U.S. government toward all migrants are created out of a sense of compassion, respect for human rights, and an acknowledgment of the vital role migrants play in our economy and society.

Contacts: Sean Garcia, sgarcia @ lawg.org, (202) 546-7010; Rosita Choy, rchoy @ afsc.org, (202) 547-6000 x148