To show support for people impacted by the recent wave of federal immigration raids across Southern California, local politicians and residents in the San Gabrlel Valley came together Wednesday night for a candlight vigil.
LA Voice, a multifaith activist group that has staged numerous protests and vigils in Los Angeles since the raids started, planned the gathering with the goal of strengthening ties between residents of the inland community.
Out of SGV, ICE! We’re not by ourselves! We protect ourselves! On Wednesday night, the people in Baldwin Park’s Zocalo Park chanted.
“We’re a very vulnerable area,” said LA Voice volunteer and vigil organizer Sam Sandoval. Compared to many others, we do not have the same resources. Many of our unincorporated areas lack the necessary mobilization skills. Our goal is to serve as that epicenter.
As local officials and artists from the San Gabriel Valley took the stage to share their personal stories of hope and resiliency, volunteers distributed candles to attendees.
Mariam Lora, a local writer from a mixed-status family, used a poem she read out to the audience to process her thoughts. In it, she likened President Trump to a chile guerrito, stating that he is a genuinely stupid fruit who has no idea what we are capable of. I just know that I’m not afraid of him.
According to Lora, she finds it challenging to come out at occasions like this, but she was able to process it by creating the poem and sharing it with an encouraging audience.
She later told The Times, “I feel a little bit lighter overall, because I was able to express how I feel about the situation.” It was a good release, in my opinion.
California
Data contradicts the Trump administration’s assertion that the sweeps were intended for criminals.
The final speaker was Baldwin Park Mayor Emmanuel J. Estrada. He acknowledged the constitutional oath he took upon taking office, which he claimed is being broken at the federal level right now.
It’s acceptable to feel frightened, he said, and it’s acceptable to feel uncertain. However, it is unacceptable to let that fear lead us to conform. We cannot accept the current state of affairs as the new normal.
As the throng raised flowers and scattered them among a sea of candles, a local singer ended the evening with a gentle guitar tune. However, the majority of guests stayed for much longer in order to interact and converse with other community members.
According to Sandoval, a lot of people want to get together and experience a sense of community when we have an ecumenical event. Love and solidarity are the foundations of who we are.
