Reclaiming Spaces of Fear with Courage and Hope

“Presente!” Shouted the crowd in unison, 108 times. It became a chant, a prayer, a sacred word repeated. “Presente” a bold spiritual claim that dares fear and believes in hope and a courageous action of solidarity: to be present. We won’t let anyone turn us around…. “El pueblo unido…” Together we are “presente”.

On September 18, a collective effort between 4 organizations, organized by our friends at Together Lab, came together to reclaim the space at the Macadam ICE building. This space has eroded into a space of fear and injustice, where at least 108 people have been detained. That's why people of faith and clergy surrounded the entire ICE facility building, to peacefully and courageously reclaim that space as a place where a Resource Table can bring needed connection and hope.

One person showing up with a migrant might ease some fear, but when a coordinated group of trained volunteers arrive, it transforms the space and the experience. Families feel less alone, ICE officers behave differently, and the power imbalance shifts. Alone, this kind of protection would be impossible, that is why the Resource Table at Macadam is a collective effort, because together we are Presente.

Your support makes the work of presence possible. Your donation is a way to join the voices that say “presente”.