‘Families Belong Together’ rallies and marches planned Saturday

Dozens of groups around the state are planning to join a national movement with planned “Families Belong Together” rallies and marches today.

The protests are aimed at the separation of detained migrants from their children and other immigration policy issues.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending the practice last week, but the Families Belong Together movement is demanding children already separated be reunited with their families immediately.

More than 750 events in all 50 states, along with Puerto Rico and St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, are planned, with hundreds of thousands expected to attend.

In Albuquerque, the ACLU of New Mexico, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, ProgressNow New Mexico and several other groups will rally from 9 to 11 a.m. today at Civic Plaza.

“It is an extremely important issue that has really galvanized our communities,” said Alex Curtas with ProgressNow New Mexico. “I think people should consider coming out because all families deserve to be kept intact.”

Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham and Mayor Tim Keller are also expected to attend.

Curtas said they expect between 4,000 and 5,000 people to attend the Albuquerque event.

Around the state, events are planned in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Columbus, Farmington, Gallup, Roswell, Santa Fe, Silver City, Socorro, Tierra Amarilla and Truth or Consequences.