American Friends Service Committee promotes immigration positivity on billboards in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) launched a nationwide campaign, spreading a positive message about the immigrant community.

“To counter the narrative of immigrants in the United States and to highlight and elevate the contributions they make,” said Minerva Mendoza, program coordinator for the AFSC Pan Valley Institute.

In the Central Valley, the message can be seen on two digital billboards on Highway 99 and heard over the radio.

It reads: “The Central Valley, where our communities are stronger with immigrants.”

Mendoza says she has heard positive feedback from many.

“People started reaching out and saying this was something we needed to see, that it was something positive. They were bombarded with the negative side of the conversation.”

Negative conversations, she says, occurred during the presidential electionswith immigration being a hot topic.

She is proud of the uplifting response, which she says aligns with the organization’s mission to provide a sense of belonging to communities of all backgrounds in the Central Valley.

Experiences she has felt firsthand.

“It has been a learning space for me. To learn more about the Muslim community, refugees and even my own community in Oaxaca,” Mendoza said.

Program Director Myrna Martinez is proud of the networks and support provided, including their ongoing plans.

“We are doing more work on economic and climate justice and supporting immigrants in achieving greater economic mobility,” Martinez said.

The billboard and radio campaign ends on November 10, but the organization wants to remind the Central Valley that they are always working on ways to support communities of all backgrounds year-round.

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