Hey! For anyone who doesn't know me, I'm trying to get to the march on 10.2.10
I'm trying for two reasons. First, to stand for true Democracy and against those who would use hate and bigotry to again gain control of government and wipe away generations of Progressive accomplishments.
Second, because I have been unable to return home to the US for 18 years and I would dearly
love to see my country once again, even if only
for a couple of days.
They would be the best couple of days of my life!
I never thought I'd get to go back home, but now I have a chance! And for such a perfect reason!
I've been seeking sponsors to help me to to the march and 4 people have sponsored me so far, so I'm about 1/2 way there! I have also been offered a place to stay when I make it. But I only have about two weeks left to get sorted or I'll not be able to go and will have to return the funds I have been sponsored.
If you can help, in any way at all, even just $5/$10 pretty please do! I couldn't express my gratitude enough! My address is in my profile and if you want to help me out you can send through Paypal to sponsor@progressivesponsor.com -you don't have to have a Paypal account.
I'll explain in more detail, and about what I've tried to start to help others trying to make it, but please know that if I were able to visit home and take part in the march it would be a most meaningful event for me. I get a bit choked up just thinking about the possibility.
You see, I've not been able to go home in 18 years. My wife was pregnant with our daughter, our son 6 months old, when I lost my job. Aoife, my wife, was in the country from the UK on an expired visa, so there wasn't any way we could continue her medical care and I couldn't find a job.
So we took the last of our cash on hand and made a dash for Britain, where at least we would have pre-natal for her and care for the children. I came here on a 6mo waver visa and just never left. Had I been caught at that time I would be banned form reentry for 10 years. So I was what I like to call an 'immigration prisoner': I was stuck here, hiding, for the rest of my life.
But that has been sorted now thanks to the EU and I have my residency!
I dearly, dearly want to return home for the march, which is important to me because I feel we need to let the country and the world know the Democratic party, Liberals and Progressives, hasn't faded away to nothing. That we're not asleep. That we have voices and will be heard. That we WILL turn out in November and we WILL deliver a message!
So, for me this is more than just any march in Washington. It's a chance to be active in keeping our country from those who exploit it for the rich while trampling the rights of the middle class and below. Much as myself and my family, and most everyone I know. And for me it's a chance to see the home I have missed so very much.
An idea was started about a week ago about trying to match up those who can't go due to work, family, etc, with those who would like to go, but don't have the resources for it. The thought being that some people would like to help others go in their place. And it worked. People started getting involved and offering others support. And not just financial assistance, but offers of transpiration and accommodation as well.
Someone had the idea setting up a site to help and while I'm not a website coder, I do know some, as well as a little about PHP, and I know how to look things up and learn what I need to, so I did it. With space and a URL kindly donated by yanevano, I've made a site called ProgressiveSponsor.com
Please visit the site and have a look around! It's not much of a site, but I'm not much of a coder, on the web or otherwise, and it took me more than a week now to do it (many, many sleepless nights, and days frustrated because I'm well over my head!) but did it I did and it's up and running!
So, that's where I am. I hope you will visit the site and maybe sponsor me or someone else, if you can. We could really use your help and would be very appreciative. The first sponsor to the site sponsored $100 and did it anonymously. I really don't know what to think of that sort of altruistic charity. It gives me faith to know there are still people out there who reject the Becks and Rands of this world.
Progressives supporting progressives! We can make it - together!
Thanks for taking the time to read my Diary :¬)
Comments, TIPs and RECs are accepted gladly