LIGHTS FOR LIBERTY CANDLELIGHT VIGILJULY 12TH ESTANCIA, NEW MEXICO

· New Mexico,Refugees,Events

LIGHTS FOR LIBERTY CANDLELIGHT VIGIL

JULY 12TH ESTANCIA, NEW MEXICO

On Friday, July 12th, 2019, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Detention Camps, will bring thousands of people to communities across our country, into the streets to protest the inhumane conditions faced by refugees everywhere.

Lights For Liberty Candlelight Vigil
Estancia Valley, NM
Arthur Park on Highland Avenue
Estancia, New Mexico 87016
6:00 pm Gathering & Music
6:45 Speakers Will Begin
8:45 Prayer, Meditation and Lighting of the Candles

Special Guests Include: Peace Activist Sally-Alice Thompson, Immigrant Rights Attorney Damian Lara, Albuquerque InterFaith Community Organizer Javier Benavidez, Millions For Prisoners Community Organizers Selinda Guerrero and Justin Allen, Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez

As a front line community with a private Detention Camp, we ask that our public servants & authorities ensure dignity, safety and compassionate care, regardless of the age or legal status of the refugees being housed. Currently federal law allows ICE facilities to operate without oversight or supervision. We fully recognize that the Core Civic operation in Estancia, New Mexico is a recently, reopened prison that will be housing adult, male immigrants. Our elected, public servants must advocate for oversight, transparency and accountability in these ICE funded facilities. We ask for these protections to ensure the safety of immigrants, facility staff and the citizens.

It is not a crime to seek asylum. We continue to ask, 'What Would Jesus Do?' We know that he would not separate families, nor treat them inhumanely. Even in prisons with convicted felons there is a standard of human rights that must be guaranteed.

'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me' ~ Jesus of Nazareth, Matthew 25:35.

We believe that this event gives social justice communities, everyday citizens and religious organizations the opportunity to participate in a necessary conversation that is long past due. We invite everyone to participate with us in this peaceful effort. Because of the nature of the circumstances, we welcome peace & mindfulness practitioners to help guide us in this evening of reflection and understanding. Please remember that our community of Estancia and it's people are not the enemy.

Please join us in Candlelight Vigil & Prayer to bring advocacy, justice & awareness for our immigrant families and impacted communities. As this is an outdoor event, we urge people coming to this event to bring chairs, water and their special snacks. There will be a few food vendors at the park, as well as other restaurants in town to accommodate those needs.

This special event is a collaboration of several organizations and many concerned citizens. Current Sponsors are:

Our Revolution New Mexico, Torrance County Democratic Party, PDA-Central New Mexico, Indivisible-NobHill, East Mountain Democrats, Albuquerque Interfaith, Millions for Prisoners, Senators Antoinette Sedillo Lopez & Liz Stefanics, Karen Bentrup, Lloyd DeWald, Deborah Marez, Democratic Party of New Mexico, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, New Mexico Federation Democratic Women; and more information.