In the midst of a holy season for many, more than 800 faith leaders across religious and spiritual traditions sent a letter to President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to take immediate action towards ending immigration detention, beginning by closing ten detention centers in 2021.
“In many of our sacred texts, migration stories are foundational in developing a moral framework that includes the right to move and live freely, be welcomed, and find belonging. We are morally compelled to seek ways to dramatically reduce all forms of incarceration in favor of systems of help, community support and non-carceral solutions.”
This month, we celebrate both International Women’s Day and Pesach (Passover).
Join us to hear testimonies from women impacted by the systems of prison and immigration detention, as women are the largest growing incarcerated population.
Come listen to a retelling of the freedom-from-bondage message of Passover and the roles women play in liberation interpreted by Rabbi Katie Mizrahi and Rabbi Mychal Copeland.
Join us to learn how you can be take part in advocacy and action to support immigrants and free others who are not yet free. None of us are free until all of us are free. Let us work together to build a society that upholds equity, fairness, and justice.
It is our hope that Gabby Solano (pictured above) will be able to speak with us in person at the vigil. In just two weeks, Gabby, a 48-year old immigrant and domestic violence survivor, is scheduled to be released from the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, CA after serving a 20 years and earning a commutation and parole. Her family is waiting to welcome her home. Unfortunately, ICE has placed a hold on Gabby and is seeking to send her to ICE detention and deport her to Mexico, a country she left as a baby. Please take action to ask Governor Newsom to use his power to protect immigrant survivors and not allow CDCR to transfer her to ICE custody. To take action, see: bit.ly/FreeGabbyToolkit
By Hilda Cruz, Regional Organizer, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
Like many others, I was shocked to learn about the for-profit detention centers that were being built all over the country, including the one in the city of Adelanto. … Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, Detention Watch Network, and Dignity not Detention Coalition will continue to work with people in detention and helping their families share stories of this harmful practice to make it public through prayer vigils, actions, and events. …
Hilda Cruz, Regional Organizer, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
