Last-minute rally for immigrants draws large crowd in downtown Wooster
Jason Stillwagner, left, and Sara Greathouse attended the rally. Greathouse spoke through tears, explaining her religion demands that individuals speak out against injustice.
Immigration attorney Brian Hoffman was among the speakers at a rally in downtown Wooster on Sunday, June 24 that drew approximately 250 concerned citizens of all ages. Speaking about the current immigration situation in the United States, Hoffman said, "This is a tragedy of historic proportions."
People of all ages from young children to community elders held signs with messages ranging from statements such as "children are not bargaining chips," "the golden rule is still a thing" and "we are all human beings" to more explicit comments.
Mandy Parkinson spoke with tears in her eyes as she explained why she and several other members of the local group, Wayne Forward, organized the rally. Wayne Forward is an organization that started after the last election, according to Parkinson, "to try to make a difference at a grassroots level."
"I think people want to do something," Parkinson said. "People are so upset about what's going on at our southern borders: these cruel, cruel policies. These pop-up rallies are happening all over the country. People want to feel like they are doing something. These are our friends and neighbors this is happening to."
Parkinson said residents call local, state and national representatives and tell them to fight for immigration reform.
"There is currently no help for the over 2,300 children who have been separated from their families. They may remain separated for the rest of their lives. We need to contact our representatives and ask them to help these children. These parents are frantic. These children are traumatized. Continue to speak out. Vote progressively in the fall," Parkinson said.
Hoffman spoke about the need for attorneys who are able to work pro bono on behalf of immigrants as well as anyone who is bi-lingual and able to translate. He also discussed the value of writing letters to the court on behalf of individuals in danger of deportation.
Sara Greathouse was among the crowd attending the rally. She struggled through tears to share why she had come. "The reason this matters to me, in addition to being just morally wrong, is the Koran commands us to take action against injustice, against oppressors. That's why we are here."
Speakers included local residents who had been immigrants, the sharing of the story of one young child's experience of living in the United States after his father was deported and a reading of a letter from the Anti-Defamation League.
The ADL is an organization dedicated to standing up to anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. The ADL currently states on their home page: "The policy implemented by the Trump administration undermines our country's history and values as being welcoming to refugees and immigrants fleeing dangerous conditions."
One of the speakers was Alptekin Aydogan, an immigrant who fled to Germany from his native Turkey many years ago. He said, "If something is the law, that doesn't mean it's true justice. That doesn't mean that it protects human rights. What if the law itself isn't just?"
Aydogan works with several groups assisting immigrants. One of the groups, the Canton-based Immigrant Worker Project, provides services in Orrville. He said individuals who wish to help should support organizations that support immigrants.
Along with other speakers and attendees, Aydogan talked about the need to vote in upcoming elections and urged individuals to elect representatives who "have a different idea of what is the right thing to do."
Speakers also addressed the need for people to understand why refugees are coming to this country and to show compassion and respect for human rights.
Rev. Stephen Moran of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Wooster was among those attending. "I'm here because of the value of any forum that we have available to us to point out the connectedness between us as human beings to recognize that as a starting point to make efforts to connect what we experience in the face of our privilege and blessings and to relate it to others' desire for the same opportunities. I don't think too many people would deny that there is a need for reform in our immigration policy, and this is a sad opportunity. This heinous crisis has brought us here."
Local artist Susan Shie attended the rally "because [she cares] about everybody." She said, "This isn't America. This is the most awful thing since Hitler, and we can't stand for that. We blame the German people for letting Hitler get away with it? What is this country doing? We all have to stand up, or we are guilty. We are complicit."
Wayne Forward meetings are the second Thursday of every month at the Wooster Inn at 7 p.m.
For information contact Parkinson by private Facebook message or via email at white.mandy7@gmail.com.