Yesterday, our community showed up in a big way at downtown Manhattan’s immigration courts.
We were joined for court accompaniments by New York State Senator Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, New York State Assemblymembers Micah Lasher and Linda B. Rosenthal, and New York City Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro. These government officials witnessed the ICE squads poised to kidnap our community members, the stress and trauma faced by the Friends entering that building, and the restrictive measures being placed on accompaniers and members of the public. The visit was coordinated with help from the The Interfaith Center of New York.
The officials questioned the Executive Office of Immigration Review, which is in charge of constraining our civil rights in the courts, and were given the cold shoulder by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Office.
Outside of Federal Plaza, our weekly Jericho Walk was joined by congregants and clergy from Church of Saint Francis Xavier NYC, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, NYC, the Presbytery of New York City, Second Presbyterian Church, NYC, First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills, Capuchin Mobile Ministries, and many others.
Despite rain, wind, and even hail, over 70 people joined us in completing the entire seven laps around the building, which concluded in prayer and a primal scream.
Meanwhile, our teams of volunteers accompanied Friends in both courthouse buildings, providing information and moral support to those most vulnerable to the cruel mass deportation machine. They witnessed court hearings and ICE kidnappings. It has been a traumatic week for a number of families that we have encountered in the courts for the past few days.
We look forward to continuing the fight against deportation alongside these community members and leaders of principle and faith.
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