Community members gathered Sunday at Miguel Ribera Park to demand the reunification of immigrant children and their families.
“Ten thousand or more migrant children remain separated from their parents or families in government detention camps or centers. We are joining with groups across the nation to raise awareness of the lost, separated and detained children held by the Department of Health and Human Services, Customs, and Border Patrol,” event organizers said.
The event, a rally for International Children’s Day, was hosted by Indivisible Northern Nevada, Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra, and Pastoral Juvenil Hispaña – Diocese of Reno.
Mario Alvarado and Vivian Leal spoke about their personal experiences with the immigration system and asked the Trump administration to stop vilifying immigrants.
Denise Cordova spoke about growing up in Colorado, being told to be ashamed of her Mexican heritage, and being called terrible names. She stated that she became ashamed of her ancestry, but is now proud of her heritage and being American. She also told the crowd that there must be consequences for those forcing family separations.
The crowd was verbally harassed by the driver of a passing Toyota 4-Runner, who screamed at the gathering before speeding away. The attendees almost instantly dismissed the insult.
Attendees and organizers hung children’s pajamas on a clothesline to symbolize separated children. More than 80 garments were donated.
