Every Friday between 8:30–9:30 am at the Pittsburgh ICE Field Office in the Southside, a group of 50–100 protestors meet in support of our immigrant neighbors in Southwest PA.
On July 3rd, the day before the July 4th celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, Pastor Hannah led the protest with a powerful message to demand freedom and justice for all as our forefathers did. She read the words from the plaque of the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” Then added, “We are no longer who we want to be.” Pastor Hannah invited all to turn to the ONE who can truly set us free.
QVDO Singing Resistance, led by Eric Kolodziej, joined the service with songs of hope, compassion, and social justice. For the first time at the Southside protest, communion was offered by Pastor Hannah and shared by the participants.
As the event ended, all present turned toward the ICE building in silent meditation asking for deliverance from what our government has done to our neighbors. As done every Friday morning, the rally concluded with the song “Santa Maria del Camino/Come as We Journey,” led by a Hispanic singer with the chorus supported by Singing Resistance, many who are members of SUMC.
During the rally, we heard updates from Casa San Jose and Frontline Dignity of activity in this area and a few stories with more successful endings when people were not detained. One woman shared she is married to a man from Central America who is now a citizen. But it took eight years and $20,000 in legal fees to achieve. Citizenship is not a simple process!
For all interested, you can join the Casa San Jose-supported protest any Friday morning, 8:30–9:30 am, at the Pittsburgh ICE Field Office, 300 Sidney Street.
Sharon Cowden
Co-founder, QVDO Singing Resistance