BOSTON/State House - The New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith coalition of religious leaders and congregations, gathered at the State House on Thursday to publicly speak out against Arizona SB 1070, the law recently passed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. SB 1070 requires that immigrants carry identity documents at all times or risk detainment, arrest, or deportation.

The New Sanctuary Movement was joined by Centro Presente and Standing on the Side of Love, in a press conference to announce its support for the SOMOS/WE ARE initiative. The goals of this initiative include demanding just and humane immigration reform, recognizing the positive contributions that immigrants make to society, and rejecting the use of the word "illegal" to describe human beings.

The program included testimonials from immigrants as well as presentations from religious leaders of various churches and associations.

This article is a news brief.