IMMIGRATION RALLY
Residents come together to support undocumented neighbors
PHOENIXVILLE >> Community members added their voice to a growing nationwide movement aimed at recognizing the contributions of undocumented immigrants during a rally Sunday.
A crowd of about 70 people gathered at Reeves Park for a peace rally called Rise Up Phoenixville in support of the borough’s undocumented residents. The hour-long event, sponsored by Cosecha Phoenixville and Phoenixville Call to Action, began at 11 a.m. and featured speeches from Mayor Michael Speck and Nina Guzman, executive director of Alianzas de Phoenixville, among others.
The event didn’t come without some controversy though, as commenters on social media threatened to contact federal immigration officials to investigate the event in the days prior.
The group that organized the event plans to march and hold another rally on Monday, May 1, as part of A Day Without Immigrants, a nationwide demonstration highlighting the contribu-
tions of immigrants to U.S. businesses and culture.
“Being undocumented is not a crime,” Speck said. “It is a status.”
“Together we can do more,” Guzman said, leading a chant in English and Spanish.
The crowd in attendance formed a circle in the park with many holding signs that read things like “Stop separating families,” “I like freedom,” “We are all brothers and sisters,” “Firmes contigo,” “No human being is illegal,” “Mantegan a la familias unidas,” “Phoenixville stands with refugees and immigrants” and “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.”
For Speck, Guzman and the event’s organizers, the large showing of support for the cause made them feel proud.
“It speaks to the essence of what Phoenixville is,” Speck said. “We are a welcoming, loving, diverse community.”
“Look around you, this is beautiful,” Guzman said. “This is a testament to what this community is about. Not only the people that are here but the different tapestry of people that are here. That says a lot.”
Pamela Linares, an organizer of the event, is a former undocumented resident who grew up in Philadelphia. She called the event a success.
“I think we were really able to have a lot of community members here participate from various backgrounds,” she said, “which I think is always important for the undocumented community to see that it’s not just them here that are in support of them. It’s also their neighbors and their friends and the community members.”
Sunday’s event didn’t
come without some controversy, though, as commenters on social media threatened to contact U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the days leading up to the rally.
“(Immigration and Customs Enforcement) does not come up and say without any probable cause let me see your papers,” Speck said. “That’s not what the United States of America is about.”
Speck said one commenter asked if the group needed a permit to use the park to which he replied it did not as it was a public park and people are allowed to gather.
Sunday’s event was a piece of a nationwide effort, which will continue with the May 1 march and rally, Guzman said.
“We’re adding to the pot nationwide,” she said. “Our own little roar of voices becoming thunderous together with the whole nation. So we’re glad to do our part.”