Statement of Fast for Families

WASHINGTON, DC - After a ceremony and celebration on the National Mall marking the end of their fast, Fast for Families" issued the following statement:

"Today, as we transition from the 'Fast for Families' tents, we celebrate the sacrifice of the fasters and rededicate ourselves to our campaign to pass commonsense immigration reform. For 30 days, thousands of friends and allies have chosen to fast to focus attention on the moral crisis caused by our broken immigration system.

"We have built the strongest, most diverse movement for immigration reform in our nation's history. We represent a diversity of faiths and creeds and have gathered on common ground to shed light on the suffering of immigrant families and to ask our elected leaders to stop telling our communities to WAIT. We have heard that word for far too long.

"Congress has heard our call and many members have responded. Others have remained silent. But our movement has grown stronger and larger every day. As we have said time and again over the last month, we call on Speaker Boehner to bring an immigration reform bill with a pathway to citizenship to the floor of the House as soon as possible. The American people want immigration reform and now is the time to get it done.

"Throughout our fast, we have been humbled by the outpouring of support we have received from the President and First Lady, Vice President, members of Congress, countless friends around the world and the American people. With their help, we have broken through the political noise and touched our nation's moral conscience like never before.

"Our commitment to act, fast and pray does not end today. We are more determined than ever to make commonsense immigration reform a reality. It is no longer a matter of IF reform will pass, it is a matter of WHEN. Until that time, we will not stop and we will not tire. We will never give up until 11 million immigrants have a path to citizenship."

###