A rally Downtown on Saturday, a day after the July 4 celebration of America’s birthday, offers Western Pennsylvanians a chance to “Stand with Immigrants.”
That’s the title of this family-friendly event — from 1 to 3 p.m. at the City-County Building portico (414 Grant St., Pittsburgh), Downtown– being organized by 50501 Pittsburgh with Casa San Jose.
The latter organization serves the region’s Latin immigrants, several of whom recently were arrested and detained by agents operating under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In fact, Casa San Jose was one of the organizers of a protest on June 26 at Homeland Security’s office on the South Side. Similar protests and rallies have been happening across the country in response to actions by the new presidential administration.
Saturday’s event, a la 50501’s recent No Kings rally, is a local one-off that will bring together immigrant advocacy organizations with activists, artists and others “to stand in solidarity with immigrant families, and to respond to the recent ICE raids that have disrupted lives and instilled fear throughout local neighborhoods,” according to a news release from the grassroots organizing group.
“Confirmed speakers include representatives from Casa San Jose and The Disappeared, who will share firsthand accounts of how enforcement actions are impacting families in Pittsburgh and beyond.”
Cultural groups will perform, and attendees can access resources including ways to get involved in this advocacy.
“We’re calling on Pittsburgh to come together and say clearly: There is no America without immigrants,” said a 50501 Pittsburgh organizer identified as Amos Mackey. “This rally is a space for truth-telling, healing and action. It is a celebration of the many cultures that make our city vibrant.”
The organizer told the Pittsburgh Union Progress, “Our hope is that the rally creates visibility, urgency and connection. These raids are happening quietly, without public accountability. We want people to understand that this is not just a policy issue — it’s a family issue, a neighborhood issue, a moral issue. We also hope attendees leave feeling more connected to local immigrant-led organizations and inspired to take action, whether that’s donating, volunteering, showing up, or simply telling the truth about what’s happening.”
Bob, a feature writer and editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is currently on strike and serving as interim editor of the Pittsburgh Union Progress. Contact him at bbatz@unionprogress.com.
