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Religious Leaders wash the feet of immigrants who fear deportation as Easter, Passover approach

As immigrant communities await an appeals court hearing on President Obama’s deportation relief programs later this month (April 17 th) and as Easter and Passover approach, local religious leaders performed sacred Rituals of Foot-Washing to address the ongoing fear and discrimination which ongoing deportation operations have wrought for immigrant families.

The public action, took place in front of ICE, urging the agency to “open its heart” and turn away from harsh separation of families.

“The ritual of footwashing symbolizes the respect and genuine hospitality we are to have towards those who come to our country. We, the native born, are to display humility and servanthood towards the immigrant,” said Father Don McKinnon, a Redemptorist priest.

“During the eight days of Jewish Passover, the Jewish community re-tell the story of forced migration across a great desert in search of freedom. Our religious tradition teaches us to afford migrants in our midst the same legal rights of residency as the citizen,” said Rabbi Lynn Gottleib. “This year, we ask the US government to stop deporting and detaining immigrants in accord with these religious values.”

WATCH TV MEDIA COVERAGE FROM TODAY’S FOOTWASHING/PASSOVER

English: KTVU Channel 2
Spanish: Telemundo Channel 48 (with in depth interviews)
Spanish: Univisioannel 14

PHOTOS & QUOTES FROM THE FOOTWASHING/PASSOVER EVENT

Pastor Pablo Morataya washes the feet of a woman who fled violence in h er country. She is in deportation proceedings seeking protection and currently must wear a GPS ankle monitoring device.
Pastor Pablo Morataya washes the feet of a woman who fled violence in h er country.
She is in deportation proceedings seeking protection and currently must wear a GPS ankle monitoring device.
"Crossing the desert was hard, but living here for 14 years facing constant discrimination, going 9 years without seeing my children, has been even harder."
“Crossing the desert was hard, but living here for 14 years facing constant discrimination,
going 9 years without seeing my children, has been even harder.”
Rabbi Lynn Gottleib washes the feet of a little girl after sharing the traditional Jewish Passover elements of matzah, charoset and maror. "Detention is violence. Deportation is violence. Getting fired from your job is violence. We are for freedom from all forms of violence." - Rabbi Lynn
Rabbi Lynn Gottleib washes the feet of a little girl after sharing the
traditional Jewish Passover elements of matzah, charoset and maror.
“Detention is violence. Deportation is violence. Getting fired from your job is violence.
We are for freedom from all forms of violence.” – Rabbi Lynn
"We do not come here asking for anything. We come to here to make this country better. We are all human beings."
“We do not come here asking for anything. We come to here to make this country better.
We are all human beings.”
Rev. Stephanie Etzbach-Dale washes the feet of a member of SEIU. "Footwashing is a sacrament of love which tears down the barriers of privilege, hierarchy and separation- and uniting us."- Rev. Maria Eitz, Sophia Trinity
Rev. Stephanie Etzbach-Dale washes the feet of a member of SEIU.
“Footwashing is a sacrament of love which tears down the barriers of privilege, hierarchy and separation- and uniting us.”- Rev. Maria Eitz, Sophia Trinity

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