Dozens of faith leaders were arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in California on Monday after they confronted border patrol agents, demanding the demilitarization of the area and calling on the Trump administration to end its detention and deportation of asylum-seekers.
"How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation." --Bishop Minerva G. Carcano
More than 400 religious leaders and immigrant rights advocates attended the Human Rights Day protest, with many carrying signs reading "Love Knows No Borders" and "No Cages, No Walls." At least 32 were arrested, with authorities in riot gear claiming leaders from a number of faiths had entered a "restricted area" as they handcuffed them.
"We believe in freedom, and we know we cannot rest until it comes. So, with that, we are ready," said Rev. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign just before the leaders were arrested.
"As a Quaker, I believe there is that of the divine in all of us," said Laura Boyce of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), which organized the action. "This belief calls us to stand with those fleeing violence and poverty, and to call on our government to uphold the human rights of migrants and end the militarization of border communities. In the face of unfounded fear, racism, and violence, courageous action is necessary."
The rally was the first event in a planned week of direct actions, ending on International Migrants Day on December 18. Those who participated came from a number of Christian denominations as well as Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths.
A small group of Central American refugees has been the latest target of President Donald Trump's xenophobic fear-mongering regarding immigration; they arrived at the border late last month after fleeing violence and unrest in their home countries and traveling for weeks.
The protest came two weeks after border patrol agents closed the border's busiest port of entry--which the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed it wants immigrants to enter the country through--and fired tear gas at asylum seekers including many families with young children.
"Showing up to welcome and bless children, mothers, and fathers seeking asylum from very difficult and dehumanizing circumstances is the right and humane thing to do," said Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, who read a list of names of people who have been killed by border patrol agents and while crossing the border. "How we act in these moments determines who we will become as a nation."
