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About a month ago I went to an Immigration Team meeting at the Office for Social Justice (an Archdiocesan office that works with parishes on legislative issues) thinking we were going to be planning visits with politicians. Instead, a totally grass roots movement regarding immigration had just sprung up and the OSJ and St. Stephens Parish (among others) had decided to get involved. In my wildest dreams I could not have predicted what a powerful and life changing event this would be.
After the recent immigration raids, many in the Hispanic community felt extremely fearful and very powerless. A few people in that community decided to do something. One of them had attended a fast in Phoenix. He was able to spread the word about the potential of a fast. The sole purpose of the fast, and the event surrounding it, was to raise consciousness and truth regarding immigration. The fast entailed not only the faster’s huge commitment but ten days of masses, music, education, the advocacy of people writing politicians and untold acts of human kindness. Five hundred crosses were made symbolizing the 500 people who died trying to come across the border during 2006. People put those names on the crosses and hung them on the fence at the site. The last evening the crosses were put in a pile with candles surrounding them. The symbolism was powerful.
I spent most of the past ten days at the site at Spirit of the Lakes Church at East Lake St. and 13th Ave S. I spent it with an amazing group of mostly Hispanic people who were willing to put their lives on hold for ten days and fast that entire time. I never once heard any of them complain. They survived pouring rain, strong winds, suffocating heat – everything nature could throw at them. It was a truly spirit filled journey for each of them. As I watched their bodies get smaller and their clothes hang on them I also watched their spirits soar. During the fast, they visited the offices of politicians and told their stories. The Hispanic community rallied around them and the crowds grew each day. I am still overwhelmed by what I saw. On the tenth day of fasting the fasters decided to walk the nine miles to the State Capitol. The temperature was 90 degrees and the humidity was high. Some of us wondered if they would make it but they always knew they would. When I opened the StarTribune the next day and saw the picture of them kneeling on the Capitol steps tears rolled down my face.
There are so many unfounded myths circulated about immigration. These myths are what politicians and others are making decisions on. When you begin to study the issue it is extremely complex, but when you cut through it and put a human face on it the issue becomes very clear. Humane immigration reform is long overdue. The Fast reminded us of this over and over.
I am 67 years old and my life will never be the same. Most of us at St. Joan have been blessed with economic security and we do not have to fear for the fate of our families every day of our lives. Please pray for humane immigration reform. Please also become informed enough about the issue to write politicians in Washington now. Immigration reform is being discussed as I write this. Also, learn about the Minnesota Dream Act and let the politicians in Minnesota know that you are behind it.
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