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Walk for Justice
July 9, 2016 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thousands to walk in support of immigration reform and justice
Recent Supreme Court decision scraps administration plan prompting call for
‘Immigration Reform Now’
Several thousand participants are expected for the “Walk for Justice” in downtown Cleveland at 10 a.m. Saturday July 9, one week prior to the start of the Republican National Convention. Their message is “Immigration Reform Now.” This is a peaceful and non-political activity in support of compassionate, comprehensive, immigration reform with individuals and families coming from Toledo, Cincinnati, Central Ohio and surrounding states to participate.
The request for immigration reform follows the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which thwarted the Obama administration reform plan.
Among the leaders of the walk is Lorain, Ohio Police Chief Celestino Rivera who believes something must be done now. “From my leadership perspective in the law enforcement community it is very apparent to me that we need to compassionately and comprehensively reform our current immigration system,” he said.
Another leader, Sister Rita Mary Harwood of the Diocese of Cleveland, says there is a need to act now for a comprehensive response. “Immigration is a human issue which is impacting the lives of people here in Northeast Ohio every day. Our country desperately needs Congress to act in shaping compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants presently living in the shadows.” she said.
The walk will include testimony from many immigrants who have been directly affected by the lack of immigration law, as well as prayers from leaders of different religious denominations.
The Walk for Justice begins at 10 a.m. at the Free Stamp park next to Cleveland City Hall and will make four more stops downtown concluding at the Federal Court House at Superior Avenue and Huron Road.
Learn more about the walk at: www.walk4justicecle.net
For more information on the event or for pre-walk stories contact:
• Robert Tayek, diocesan communications office: 216-469-5412 or rtayek@dioceseofcleveland.org
• Chris Kerr, executive director, Ignatian Solidarity Network: 216-410-7351 or ckerr@ignatiansolidarity.net
• Sr. Rita Mary Harwood, diocesan parish life office: 216-696-6525 Ext. 2200 or rmharwood@dioceseofcleveland.org
• Jeff Stewart, Immigrant Worker Project, service and detention coordinator: 330-201-3042 (text only) or lunaymar@juno.com
Scroll to the bottom to see a map to the location and event details.