By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The crowd of 150 sang, “This Land is Our Land,” for those too fearful to sing themselves.
Beatriz Maya talked to local undocumented immigrant families before Sunday’s rally held in the city’s downtown green space. But none felt safe enough to attend.
“They are very afraid,” said Maya, of La Conexion of Wood County.
Recent executive orders by President Donald Trump, are not only keeping people from coming to the U.S., but they are also forcing people back to their homelands. In many cases, families are being broken up as parents are being deported and children born in the U.S. are allowed to stay.
Of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many have children, said Flor Hernandez.
Avwa Al-Dhahebi holds her daughter Mawada Al-Dailami as she and her daughter Shuhd Al-Dailam listen to the speakers at the rally.
“Families will be torn apart,” she said. “We need to stick together and protect the children of immigrants.”
Deportation roundups have not occurred here in Wood County, Maya said. But the nearby cities of Napoleon and Wauseon have seen some residents deported, she added.
“We think it’s a matter of time.”
Efforts are being discussed to create rapid response teams in some communities to prepare for ICE raids.
“We have to keep thinking of strategies,” Maya.
A local pastor shouted out from the crowd, asking if churches should be setting up sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants.
“We will welcome churches who might be willing to get involved,” Maya said.
At least 150 attended rally for immigrants.
The recent push for deportations is not targeting just high risk undocumented immigrants, said Luis Moreno. Simple traffic violations can result in deportations.
“If you break the law, you will be deported immediately,” he said. “This is an attack against immigrants.”
Maya explained that many residents from Mexico came to the U.S. after NAFTA was enacted. Workers were needed to perform the back-breaking low-paying jobs that most Americans wouldn’t accept. Many suffered exploitation, and now under Trump they are suffering criminalization. “We are rapists, we bring drugs,” she said, referring to Trump’s characterization of immigrants from Mexico.
Marsha Olivarez warned that without labor from Mexico, many U.S. businesses will be hurting.
“This country was built on the back of these people,” Olivarez said. “These people are doing jobs that Americans will not do.”
Olivarez and others urged citizens to take a stand.
“I implore you to fight against this administration,” she said.
Al Gonzalez, president of La Conexion, said Sunday’s rally was one way to stand up for immigrants.
“We wanted to send a message to the community that this is a welcoming community. This is not a place of hate,” Gonzalez said. “We can’t live in fear.”
Gonzalez also stressed the value of immigrants in Bowling Green. “To have a diverse community is helpful to everyone. Employers need a dependable workforce.”
Protesters hold signs a immigration rally.
Five members of Bowling Green City Council spoke at the rally. Council President Mike Aspacher noted the efforts made by several organizations – La Conexion, Not In Our Town, the Human Relations Commission, and Bowling Green Police Division – to make the city welcome “for all those who call this place home.”
Roger Grant, a member of the Human Relations Commission, said the city is committed to diversity and acceptance.
“It’s a place that is welcoming, safe and inclusive for all residents,” Grant said. “Where you can live and thrive and be treated fairly. It doesn’t matter if you’re identified as an immigrant or a refugee.”
The commission is currently working on a resolution for city council, making this commitment. Council member Sandy Rowland voiced her early support for the resolution. She said Bowling Green has a reputation of being welcoming and safe. “We want to stay that way.”
Council member Bruce Jeffers said that at the start of every council meeting, the council recites the Pledge of Allegiance with the words “one nation under God.” To him, that means, council should “promote policies that help us love our neighbors and treat others the way we want to be treated.”
Council member John Zanfardino said he is looking at going a step further than the resolution, and considering an ordinance that “has more teeth.”
“Everything matters right now,” Zanfardino said, talking about the changes being pushed nationally. “We’re living through a nightmare.”
He encouraged the crowd to contact their council members and legislators to voice their concerns.
Beatriz Maya speaks at rally.
Council member Daniel Gordon called the administration’s actions “anti-American activity.”
“We are doing this in defense of American values,” he said. “We are locked in an existential battle for the soul of our country.”
Mass deportations of people is un-American, Gordon said. “We are all immigrants. We need to remember that.”
Christina Guenther, who serves on the Bowling Green State University Faculty Senate, noted that the first step taken to show solidarity by declaring BGSU a “welcoming campus.”
She talked of the Trump administration using “alternative facts” to attack social justice.
“We believe by standing together we can act as a beacon of hope,” Guenther said.
A workshop on the rights of immigrants is planned for March 12 at 5 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green.
