TIRRC and I at the second Morristown Vigil Thursday
On April 5th, 2018, ICE conducted the largest workplace immigration raid in a decade in Morristown, TN. ICE detained 97 mothers, fathers, and other members of the community. The following day, 553 children were absent from the town’s schools. Some of these children’s parents never came home or were fearful to step outside or drive their kids to school. Many teachers left their classes in search of their missing students in hope that they could help. When news spread, the whole community came together to donate and help by giving rides to the children and their undocumented family members. In the following week, some mothers were released because of their younger children at home, but not every one was so fortunate. Tennessee Immigrants and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) has stepped in to help all the families and their detained loved ones. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Morristown received many donations from the residents of the town and held processions in support of the family members. TIRRC is currently helping with the legal proceedings for the detained men and women as there are 54 men and women currently at Louisiana’s detention center now on the verge of being deported.
On April 18th, I made my way to Morristown with donations and to help as much as I was able to. I arrived at night and stayed at a hotel provided by TIRRC. The following day, Ivan from Worker’s Interfaith Network and I met up with Alejandro, Isaias, and Cesar from TIRRC to start the day helping the families. We began by planning the day’s vigil and morning tasks. The first thing on the list was going to the trailer
Welcome to White Pine
parks in White Pine, TN which is only 20 minutes from Morristown. We were notified that ICE stopped by at one of the three trailer parks and detained 5 people. This immediately alerted us to go and inform the people about their rights and what to do when ICE confronts them. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., we knocked on people’s doors and left them a flyer with a “Know
Spanish Know Your Rights Flyer
Your Rights” and Vigil invitation. Along the way, I met Elena, Ricardo, and Mayda, who had a loved one that was a victim of the Meatpacking Raid. Hearing the story of Elena, an elderly woman whose son left behind her daughter-in-law, 4 grandkids, and her, was truly heartbreaking to me.
After the raid, TIRRC has made over 400 power of attorney letters for each family. A power of attorney letter, in this case, is a written authorization granting permission to a non-parent or guardian to allow custody of a child in case the parent or guardian is detained. The victims’ family and friends have formed committees and started taking action against ICE. Jessica, a detainee’s wife, made a WhatsApp group chat with all of her neighbors to communicate in case they hear of any ICE activity. Jessica is a U.S. citizen and started the group chat after ICE went to her trailer park community. She confronted the officers and told them that they were not authorized by any judge, and they had no good reason to be terrorizing her community.
Lighting the candles
That afternoon, we gathered at Fred Miller park to hold the second vigil. Pastors, teachers, families, neighbors, and the victims came in unison to support each other with the lighting of a candle. A teacher spoke about the fear that her students are experiencing. A wife told her pain in tears over her husband’s story. A little girl sang a song to remember her grandma who was detained. A pastor led a prayer with a bible verse and message that God too was an immigrant, and He would want for all of His children to be welcomed and not shunned. In conclusion, TIRRC led a call to action, telling the families to fight back and urging the people to call the elected officials. Since the raid, no elected official has come forward to speak or show their support. TIRRC and the affected families would like for Tennessee Governor, Bill Haslam, to at least acknowledge the situation. Since then, the Morristown residents have created their own group called “Todos Somos Uno”… We are all one.
To contact Governor Bill Haslam in support of all of those unrightfully detained, please go here and fill out the email forum.
Morristown’s group banner welcoming everybody to the vigil
By Aylin Lozano
Unity in Diversity 