45,000 Quilt Book to Educate and Inspire

Hi, I'm Glen Ring. I live in New Hampshire. I've been involved in immigrant rights issues for about three and a half years. I first got the wake up call in the summer of 2018 when I found out that our government was separating families at our southern border.   As I became more deeply involved I learned that asylum is legal and necessary, but our country has been treating asylum seekers unfairly for a long time.  I found out that our country jails asylum seekers and other immigrants for long periodsand that this practice enriches private prison corporations.

Between July 2000 and March 2021 I coordinated the creation of a huge quilt that would graphically present the enormous amount of people suffering under the cruelty of our immigrant detention system. The quilt is called the 45,000 Quilt because in 2019 on any given day, 45,000 immigrants and asylum seekers were imprisoned in the United States! The quilt is composed of 45 1 yard squares, each with  1,000 marks  to represent immigrants in prison. With all 45,000 marks it is now 6 quilts, each 9' by 9'.  The quilt is huge, captivating and provokes thoughts and feelings.  The quilt has been displayed in many locations in the country; it's purpose is to educate and inspire people. It's been included in events from church services to a ceremony at the Mexican consulate in Florida.

 

The people who contributed squares are people as passionate about immigrant rights as I am. In New Hampshire a brilliant team of textile designers added their skills so once I received squares from people around the country, the quilt could be completed. Maja Hauk Smith, Kathy Spielman and Nancy Brennan were indispensable!

 

Now, A small, local group and I have produced a book that displays the beautiful art created and reflections by those who contributed to the quilt,  as well as poetry by an asylum seeker and informational material about immigrant detention. If you would like a copy of this book, please contribute $40 or more and send your mailing address to me at [email redacted].  I will confirm your pre-order and send you a book in approximately one month.     Proceeds from book sales (after production costs) will be split among three immigrant justice groups:  Al Otro Lado, Haitian Bridge Alliance and Detention Watch Network.  Thank you!

  One of the first places the quilt was displayed was Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.