Group to show support for immigrants
People can take part in walk, vigil Aug. 24
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The Saratoga Immigration Coalition – a network of civic groups, faith communities and individuals from across the Capital District – will hold a walk and vigil on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The coalition, including the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church, Saratoga Friends Meeting, Saratoga Unites, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs, the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, and event sponsors Saratoga Springs Human Rights Task Force, BEST – Back Stretch Employee Service Team — and the MLK Project of Saratoga seek to raise awareness and appreciation for the contributions of the immigrant community.
The coalition draws support and interest from members and volunteers from across Saratoga Springs and the greater Capital District.
“The purpose of the ‘All Are Welcome Here Walk & Vigil’ is to educate the public about the unseen, yet vital part immigrants play in our lives and to show support of and gratitude to those immigrants,” said organizer Maxine Lautenberg, a member of Temple Sinai in Saratoga Springs.
Volunteers wanting to participate in making signs to prepare for the event can join the coalition, hosted by the Temple Sinai Social Action Committee at 509 Broadway, on Monday, Aug. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. Participants are asked to bring supplies.
“The walk and vigil is to be quite different from a protest or an event to express disapproval of current policies and procedures directed at immigrants,” Lautenberg explained.
The coalition envisions a walk of silence starting from three locations in Saratoga Springs all ending with a simple vigil gathering at “The Spirit of Life” statue in Congress Park, where there will be a very short program with spoken word and song.
“I see the walk and vigil as a great opportunity to demonstrate support for immigrants in our community, but also to practice a better way of being a community, through peaceful co-existence, patience, and mutual respect,” said Terry Diggory, coordinator of the Welcoming Immigrants Task Force from the Presbyterian— New England Congregational Church.
The walk will start from three locations where participants are encouraged to meet: Union Avenue near the track entrance, Beekman Street, and North Broadway near the City Center and Temple Sinai.
These locations were chosen for their current and historical connections to immigrants, Lautenberg explained. The track is home to immigrant back stretch workers; Beekman Street was once a hub of Italian and Irish immigrants; and Broadway signifies the impact immigrants can have on peoples daily lives, the release said.
Saratoga Immigration Coalition volunteers will assist participants along the route to serve as guides along the course. They will help ensure that the intention of the walk, and its tone and tenor are maintained, the release said.
“This walk is to support our neighbors, friends and fellow workers who enrich our lives and our culture,” said MaryAnna O’Donnell, member of the Welcoming Immigrants Task Force and Saratoga Immigration Coalition.
Individuals are welcome to walk from any location they choose, or they can attend the vigil in Congress Park only. Walk participants are encouraged to register in advance at www.signupgenius.com/ go/508084caeac29a2fd0-allare.
The vigil will be non-political, calling on local artists, immigrants and concerned individuals to share in spoken word and song. All attending are asked to bring an electric votive candle or other electric light.
“We hope this is something that stirs the heart of every member in our community, and that we can walk together to show support for a community that supports us every day,” Lautenberg said of the walk and vigil.
Find the Saratoga Immigration Coalition on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ Saratoga-Immigration-Coalition-458540114506608/.
For more information, visit https://www.evensi.us/allare-welcome-here-walk-andvigil-congress-park-downtown/219915747 or contact the “All Are Welcome Here Walk & Vigil” committee organizer Maxine Lautenberg at (518) 9510702.