Hundreds of people gathered in San Rafael for a vigil opposing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies.
Hundreds of people gathered in San Rafael for a vigil opposing the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. It was packed with people from all over Marin County — quite a turnout for a vigil that was planned only two days ago. The message was simple: families belong together. The fact that the federal government has been separating immigrant families is a concept even small children seemed to understand. „We told them in a minimal sense and my 4-year-old daughter replied, that is just mean,“ said San Rafael resident Lorin Santaloci Panknin. Children took center stage at this vigil, where hundreds gathered to oppose the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy. It’s a policy that brought many to tears. „If I had to escape violence and terror and come here and hope that someone would welcome me with open arms and not rip my children out of my arms,“ said Novato resident Mellissa Ahern. As for the president’s executive order to put a hold on separating families, that did little to ease their concerns.“It does nothing for the 2,300 kids. It doesn’t expedite the process of where are those children?“ said Patty Hoyt, one of the organizers of the vigil. East Bay Congresswoman Barbara Lee will be heading down to the border this weekend to investigate. She, too, says the executive order accomplishes little.“His zero tolerance policy is what he should end,“ Lee told ABC7 over the phone. „He should end the prosecutions, the criminal prosecutions of asylum seekers and stop jailing families for seeking refuge.“Which is why many say it’s more important than ever to keep up the pressure.“Do not walk away and think that you are great because you came here for an hour. Work every day.“ said Samantha Ramirez, an immigration activist. The Marin County Board of Supervisors also took action. They sent a letter to the Director of Homeland Security opposing the administration’s zero tolerance policy.
