Fighting for immigration reform has been given a new spin via the use of social media. A march on Washington DC that took place over two days spread the message about the legislation from the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” but this rally did not have any actual crowds – because it all took place on the internet.
Officiated by the immigration forces of Mayor Michael Bloomberg in partnership with the Organizing For Action group of President Barack Obama, the directors have started to reach out and ask participants to send emails, Facebook messages and tweets to their Senators in order to promote the cause.
“We don’t see this as exclusive of a regular march,” claims the Partnership for a New American Economy director, Jeremy Robbins. “It’s 2013 and the way we communicate is broader and different than it was a generation ago, and we want to be able to maximize all the ways we can to push Congress.” The virtual march started on May 22nd and carried on until May 23rd, and was intended to get people to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Reddit and Twitter to force Congress to pass the immigration reform bill, which was ultimately passed last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“By utilizing the power of technology to capitalize on the power of democratic expression, our virtual march on Washington will help ensure that lawmakers hear from the people they represent,” Bloomberg said.