We the People Ride emphasizes immigration and border issues

Immigration is near and dear to Fellowship Southwest, because we believe our love for migrants reflects our love for Jesus. So, we’re delighted to tell you about We the People Ride, a coast-to-coast event sponsored by our friends at Vote Common Good.

We the People Ride will introduce all of us to the stories of refugees amassed on the border, those who serve them and those who are working to improve immigration policies and practices, as well as life on the border.

“Immigration is a foundation of America,” insisted Doug Pagitt, executive director of Vote Common Good. “No other nation has as large an immigrant population as does the United States—and this remains our greatest strength.”

Still, immigration is both foundational and fraught, Pagitt noted, pointing out immigration impacts families, the economy, politics and just about every aspect of society.

“Most Americans would agree immigration is good and necessary for the continuing vibrancy and growth of America’s economy and society,” he said. “We need a common good approach to immigration and border management. Common good practices must include all of us, from all the places from which we come. It means including all the cultures that make us the United States.”

We the People Ride will offer a rolling, ongoing conversation about immigrants, life on the border, and opportunities to transform responses to immigration from division to unity.

The ride will cover the entire U.S.-Mexico border and beyond, beginning in San Diego, Calif., Sept. 10, and ending in St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 14. 

Vote Common Good offers three options for participation:

• Coast-to-Coast Border Ride. Participants can ride one mile or all 3,200 miles. Border-specific rides include San Diego, Calif./Tijuana, Mx., Sept. 10-11; Ajo, Ariz./Sonoyta, Mx., Sept. 18-19; Tucson, Ariz./Nogales, Mx., Sept. 22; Douglas, Ariz./Agua Prieta, Mx., Sept. 24-26; Las Cruces, N.M./El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mx., Oct. 1-3; McAllen, Texas/Reynosa, Mx., Oct. 16-18. Click here for information.

• Community Bike Rides. On Saturday, Oct. 9, or Sunday, Oct. 10, you or your church can host a We the People bike ride in your own community—no matter how close to or far from the border you live. Click here for information.

• Virtual Bike Rides. You can follow along online, choose a route that suits you—and maybe connects you to people of other cultures, from other countries. Click here for ideas.