Gathering at Sheridan – (c) John M. Kingery All Rights Reserved 2018
From Sunday, September 30 to Saturday, October 6, hundreds of individuals participated in the 140 mile journey from the Sheridan Detention facility in Sheridan, Oregon to the NORCOR in the Dalles, Oregon. Concerned local citizens collaborated with the Rural Organizing Project, the Immigration Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) for successful community building and displays of solidarity. People of faith and people of good will came from all corners of the Oregon. We marched to end to immigrant and refugee detention facilities in Oregon and raise awareness of Measure 105’s dangerous effects on our communities.
Rainbow at Sheridan (C) John Kingery All Rights Reserved 2018
On Sunday, we celebrated only 8 detained persons remained at Sheridan unable to pay their bail bond. All 123 detained persons had passed the DHS “credible risk”requirements. Representatives of the Sikh community thanked everyone for our efforts and led us in prayer. Together, we shared a traditional Sikh meal. As we left, a rain bow came down on the prison. Our prayers had reached God and God answered.
As most with most journeys, there were adjustments. On Monday, a contingent of marchers was diverted to the Washington County Courthouse. Two members of the immigrant community had been detained by ICE agents inside the building. They stood as witnesses against that activity.
Standing for Justice at the Washington County Courthouse, Hillsboro Oregon. (c) John Kingery All rights reserved 2018
Wednesday, the pilgrims walked from Forest Grove and stopped for lunch at St. Alexander’s in Cornelius. At 4:00 pm they gathered in front of the Washington County Courthouse. Hector Hinojosa, a resident since 1961 and Defensa de la Dignidad member, spoke of the racial profiling taking place before the passage of 1987 Oregon law prohibiting use of state and local resource for federal immigration enforcement. “There is a ripple effective of fear permeating the community today”, Hinojosa stated.
On the courthouse steps, Pastor Jorge Rodriguez of Hillsboro United Methodist asked, “How can I say to my community, go to the courthouse and do your business when I know that ICE is there to prey on people”? A detainee’s mother spoke through tears. He was first taken to Portland and then to Tacoma with no further communication.
Where are the children? (c) John Kingery All rights reserved 2018
Thursday in Portland began with a morning vigil at the ICE Headquarters on Macadam. I met the marchers at First Congregational United Church of Christ for lunch. I met a ‘raging granny’ displaying two signs containing the requirements of do justly, love kindness, walk humbly, and justice and compassion for the stranger. Fewer people were using Virginia Garcia due to federal immigration policies. Trust has been broken and many may not get the needed health care. Marchers offered thanks at the various congressional offices visited.
Visiting Senator Jeff Merkley’s office in Portland, Oregon (c) John KIngery, All Rights Reserved, 2018
Hood River and finally The Dalles were the final stops on the journey.
Saturday the pilgrimage ended at the NORCOR regional jail in The Dalles. Gorge Ecumenical Ministries invited those gathered to become pen pals with the detained individuals.
Maru Mora Villaponda of NW Detention Center Resistance reminded us of our humanity.She clearly stated, “The one thing immigrants have is human dignity.
Give them that dignity. Do not say detainee, say person detained.” They are human beings fighting for their human dignity needing our support. Those detained persons are the heroes and leaders.
In the week following, God blessed me as I spoke words of welcome to recently released men in halting French and Spanish. They were thankful for all the prayers and support they have received.
Over the past year, I have been on a long journey. We must as Pope Francis wrote “recognize that all of us “belong to one family, migrants and the local populations that welcome them… It is here that solidarity and sharing are founded.”
Will join me on this journey? Will you love the stranger in our midst?