<ChicagoMayDay> FW: Press Advisory- May 10th Children's March/ Vigil at Detention Center
Rosi Carrasco
PRESS ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
“Don’t Deport Our Moms”: Children
Hold Vigil at Detention Center to Demand Immediate End to Deportations
Commemorating Mother’s Day, children call on President Obama to address the urgent need to fix the broken immigration system that is separating them from their mothers
What: A pilgrimage and vigil to Broadview Detention Center led by children affected by the broken immigration system. Broadview Detention Center was the target of civil disobedience 2 weeks ago – 22 faith, labor, student, and community leaders were arrested stopping ICE buses – and is seen by the immigrant community as a cruel representation of the daily separation of families. Children will call on President Barack Obama to issue an executive order ending raids and deportations that are tearing families apart. Coming on the heels of the President’s announcement to begin work on immigration reform this year, children and allies will remind him that there are administrative changes he can make today, without Congress, to halt deportations, raids, and draconian enforcement. Special attention will be paid to the inhumane treatment of detainees under DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano; parents are often shackled in front of their frightened children.
“I want to say to President Obama, please stop sending away people like my mom and dad,” said Natanael Reynaga“ I am fearful to leave to school in the morning, I am afraid my mom will be deported one day while I’m at school.”
Children will share personally how the inaction on immigration reform is affecting them directly. After hundreds of thousands marched in Washington in March and across the country on May Day, children add their unique voice and perspective to this effort. The injustice of the situation is made particularly clear by the involvement of children, the majority of whom are US citizens.
“Our faith and morality demands that we question and bring to light the inhumane and unjust manner in which families in our communities are being separated, ripped apart. It is immoral, it is wrong,” states Fr. Claudio Holzer, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church.
Who:
Children of families directly affected by broken immigration system, along with
their parents and allies including community and religious leaders.
When: Monday May 10th -
4:30PM- Preparation for Pilgrimage begins, 5:15PM Pilgrimage begins
6:45PM- Pilgrimage arrives, vigil in front of Broadview Detention Center
Where: Starting Point- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish- 1101 N. 23rd
Ave. , Melrose Park, IL
Arriving Point- Broadview Detention
Center- 1930 Beach St, Broadview
Why: Everyday 1,100 people are
deported in the US; 1,100 families separated every day. That’s 400,000 in
President Obama’s first year of presidency, more than any year under President
Bush. These heightened deportations, a direct result of the inability of
President Obama and Congress to find solutions to the current immigration
system, are causing direct impact in the lives of these children. Too
many kids live in fear of their parents not being home when they return from
school. This policy of continuous enforcement without a path to legalization
has called into question Obama's commitment to immigrant communities.
Visuals: Children will create a hand
painted banner to deliver at the Detention Center. Children, parents and faith
leaders will walk in pilgrimage with signs directing messages at President
Obama arriving at Broadview Detention Center, where they will hold a vigil
sharing testimonies.
P.A.S.O. - Proyecto de Accion de los Suburbios del Oeste
(West Suburban Action Project)
is a community-based organization that works to engage community members to act
through their faith and values to address issues that affect them, their
families, and neighbors with the mission to build stronger communities.
P.A.S.O. is a community-based organization, formed by institutional members
serving the West Cook Suburbs, in the areas of Melrose Park, Stone Park,
Maywood, Bellwood, and Northlake.
# END#
--
Yesenia Sánchez
Director Civic Engagement Prog./ Community Organizer
P.A.S.O.- West Suburban Action Project
Proyecto de Accion de los Suburbios del Oeste
1115 N. 23rd Ave.
Melrose Park IL 60160
Office: 708-345-3632 Ext. 302
Fax: 708-345-3951
*******TAKE ACTION IN FAVOR OF
IMMIGRATION REFORM!! Send a text message with the word
"JUSTICE" to 69866 to receive immediate alerts*****
P.A.S.O. - Proyecto de Accion de
los Suburbios del Oeste (West Suburban Action Project) is a community-based organization that works to
engage community members to act through their faith and values to address
issues that affect them, their families, and neighbors with the mission to
build stronger communities.
The main issue-areas PASO currently works on are immigration, public safety,
and youth leadership/education using community organizing, leadership
development, and civic participation as means to provide tools to members to
develop their skills to be active participants in their communities.
P.A.S.O. is a member-based organization, serving the West Cook Suburbs, in the
areas of Melrose Park, Stone Park, Maywood, Bellwood, and Northlake.
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