More than 70 people from eight local churches, several immigrant rights groups, and immigrant families gathered with candles and processed to the Department of Homeland Security in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The local band, L@s Otr@s, brought guitars and a violin and led the group in traditional Las Posadas songs.
Six clergy/religious leaders representing the Catholic, Episcopal, Unitarian, United Church of Christ/Disciples of Christ, Mennonite and Quaker churches read statements from their faith traditions about immigration. Some read from the Bible; others gave sermons.
Univision, the largest Spanish language television network, covered the events and interviewed multiple people, including an immigrant family who bravely shared their horror story of immigration. A local newspaper also covered the event.
Security officers from DHS did approach the gathering but moved back from the crowd when a Catholic priest began reading from the Bible.
The event was organized by the New Mexico Faith Coalition for Immigrant Justice. The vigil coincided with Rep. Luis Gutierrez's introduction of comprehensive immigration reform today in the US Congress.
Click these links to read the media coverage of the event:
http://ncronline.org/news/justice/las-posadas-call-action
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Las Posadas Vigil Dec.15, 2009 5:30pm in Abq
Join clergy and laypeople from congregations around Albuquerque/Santa Fe for a Las Posadas vigil to the Department of Homeland Security, where ICE holds immigrants in temporary detention.
Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 5:30-6:30pm
Meet at the corner of Renard Pl SE and Buena Vista SE (near airport)
Light candles and process to the Dept of Homeland Security.
We will sing Las Posadas songs and hear statements on immigration from a faith perspective from several local religious leaders.
During this holiday time of year, we want our families to stay together, not broken up by our immigration policies.
This vigil is part of a national Las Posadas journey occurring from the West Coast to the White House from Dec. 10-18, 2009. Read more about it on the post below.
For more information about the Las Posadas vigil in Albuqueruqe, call: 842-7343.
Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 5:30-6:30pm
Meet at the corner of Renard Pl SE and Buena Vista SE (near airport)
Light candles and process to the Dept of Homeland Security.
We will sing Las Posadas songs and hear statements on immigration from a faith perspective from several local religious leaders.
During this holiday time of year, we want our families to stay together, not broken up by our immigration policies.
This vigil is part of a national Las Posadas journey occurring from the West Coast to the White House from Dec. 10-18, 2009. Read more about it on the post below.
For more information about the Las Posadas vigil in Albuqueruqe, call: 842-7343.
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