More than a dozen religious leaders from the Archipelago of faith marched Wednesday night towards the federal construction stairs in downtown Los Angeles, seeking to end the federal immigrant raid that they said had acquired flowers, torn apart families and brought racist profiling.
At the start of the procession at Plaza Orvera, Rev. Tanya Lopez, senior pastor at Downey Memorial Christian Church, said she saw federal agents swarm members in the parking lot of her church last week. She said the man was in custody despite her attempts to intervene and he didn’t know where he was now.
“All of our faith traditions teach us to love our neighbors and leave the world with less pain than we found it.
Religious leaders from multiple faiths have left flowers on the stairs of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles, honoring those detained in the recent immigrant raid.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Federal enforcement measures are taking place across Southern California this week as the Trump administration is carrying out its vows to massively deport domestic immigrants without documents. Initially, President Trump focused his rhetoric on undocumented immigrants who committed violent crimes. But shortly after he took office, his administration made it clear that they consider that everyone in the country will become criminals without their approval.
The attacks spanning bus stops, Home Depot parking lots, swap meetings, farms and factories have led many immigrants to hide and, in some cases, enter self-promotion.
Religious leaders marching Wednesday called for the attack to be stopped, saying immigrants are crucial to the Los Angeles community and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of their documented status.
They conveyed their message through downtown, marching from Plaza Orbela to federal buildings, dressing in colorful clothes reflecting Jewish, Sikhs, Muslim and Catholic traditions, uniting songs and prayers in both Spanish and English.
They called out to God, the Creator, and the Holy, and prayed for healing and justice. They prayed for the hundreds of people detained and deported, and for the families they left behind.
Father Brendan Busse of Dolores Missionary Church looks out over the crowd taking part in Wednesday’s interfaith protest in downtown Los Angeles.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
In the crowd, Talia Guppy held purple flowers on her breasts as she sang. Guppy said he learned that St. Stephen’s Hollywood, a member of her Anglican church, was taken into custody during the assault on an atmospheric apparel factory. Her church then moved services online to accommodate those who were afraid to venture out from home.
“We’re here for them,” she said. “We will protect hope and faith until we get justice for them.”
At the end of the procession, the marchers approached the stairs of the federal government building. As clergy leaders lined up the stairs, Homeland Security officials poured out of the building and guarded the entrance. Behind the inner semi-reflective door, a line of US Marines was ready.
Leaders called for peace and blossomed the stairs in honour of those detained.
“We have flowers, and as long as our loved ones remain in the cage, we will continue to add flowers,” said Sikh leader Valary Kaur. She turned her attention to the officers at the door who were standing stoic, questioning how they wanted to be remembered by history. She then placed the flowers on their feet.
Sikh leader Valary Kaur leaves flowers at the feet of a federal officer standing in a federal building in downtown Los Angeles.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
In the crowd, the protesters held signs in images of the Virgin Mary and the Mexican flag. The clergy have asked them to be ready to protect their neighbors in the next few days.
Father Brendan Busse, a Jesuit priest at Dolores Missionary Church in Boyle Heights, said he felt the effects of the attacks within his church. The dedicated members are no longer in Pugh. Others call you asking if it’s safe to come to church. The fear is obvious.
“We need to be a safe space for people, not just in the church, but throughout the neighborhood,” he said. “We can’t guarantee anyone that we are a completely safe space, but at least give them a sense of standing together in the difficult moments we are in.”
This article is part of the Times Equity Report initiative funded by the James Irvine Foundation, which examines the challenges faced by low-income workers and efforts to address economic disparities in California.
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