<ChicagoMayDay> FW: Pilgrimage of Hope

[Rosi Carrasco]

> My name is Ere and I, like you, am concerned about current legislation happening in Arizona. I am from McHenry Country Illinois and I know what happens to communities when local law enforcement plays a direct role in deporting our mothers and fathers and siblings. I would like to share a couple stories with you from my county.
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> Susana lives in Woodstock, IL with her 5-year-old daughter. One night, after picking up her daughter up from the babysitter, she was heading home and she was pulled over for what the sheriff said, "touching the yellow line in the middle of the road." She was arrested; she and her daughter were taken to the county jail. Her friend immediately picked up Susana's daughter and paid her $128 bond for driving without a license. Susana was not let go. Two days later she was taken to Chicago to 'Immigration' where she was asked to sign her voluntary deportation (she did not sign.) She was taken back to Woodstock, to the detention center, where she remained for a week and a half, and after the 3rd attempt to post bail; she was released on $5000 bond. Susana is now awaiting her deportation hearing; her daughter is now traumatized.
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> Juan lives in Harvard, IL with his mom and two siblings; he came to the U.S. 12 years ago, at the age of 15. While driving home from work, he ran out of gasoline and pulled to the side of road. He called his friend to pick him up, but a sheriff drove by before his friend was able to make it. He was arrested for driving on a suspended license; he too was taken in front of an immigration judge and remained in the detention center for 25 days. Now he's waiting for his court hearing, and he is going to be deported because he ran out of gasoline.
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> Stories like this happen almost everyday in my county. People are getting deported left and right for driving to and from work. McHenry County is a difficult place to live if you are an undocumented immigrant, yet thousands do it everyday. They risk everything, every time they get behind a wheel. They risk it because they have to. They live in small towns where work is 20 miles away on country roads and where just going to the grocery store entails driving several miles.
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> Last month, McHenry County signed onto "secure communities" initiative with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and these stories will only escalate.
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> I too do not want this state to become Arizona, but I fear that my county is on that path. I am asking for your help. I am asking that you join us on our pilgrimage to a county where people are scared. Where people drive by the detention center with the fear that one day they or a loved one will be in there just waiting to be deported. This is our opportunity to bring attention to what is happening in our state, in a progressive, democratic, Midwestern state. As we continue to demand justice in Arizona, let?s not forget to demand justice for the people of Lake, DuPage, Kane, Will, and McHenry County.
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> Pilgrimage of Hope
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> Walk with us from Chicago to the Immigration Detention Center in Woodstock IL, where we will pledge our solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are awaiting the separation from their families. The 3-day pilgrimage will call for an end to deportations of law-abiding immigrants and the inhumane separation of families. Join us as we walk and pray for comprehensive immigration reform so that we can bring hope back to our families, communities, and nation.
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> May 21-23
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> May 21?
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> 9:30AM
> Saint Bartholomew Church?
> 4941 W Patterson Ave
> Chicago IL 60641?
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> 4pm
> Maryville- Our Lady of Guadalupe
> 1100 N River Rd.
> Des Plaines, IL
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> 8pm
> Saint James
> 820 N Arlington Heights Rd
> Arlington Heights, IL
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> May 22
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> 7:30am
> Saint James Church
> 820 N Arlington Heights Rd.
> Arlington Heights
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> 10am
> Countryside Church UU
> 1025 N Smith St
> Palatine
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> May 23
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> 4:30pm
> Saint Mary Catholic Church
> 312 Lincoln Ave
> Woodstock
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> 6pm
> McHenry County Jail
> 2200 N Seminary Rd
> Woodstock, IL
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> We will be resting in churches along the way. You will only need to bring a sleeping bag and a book bag with personal belongings. For more information, to sign up, or to learn where you can join us along the way contact Rachel at jrhe...@aol.com, or Ere at (815) 715-1577 - Erend...@gmail.com
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