“Todos somos seres humanos; todos necesitamos y queremos que se respete esa dignidad humana.”
Father Jorge Gomez’s opening remarks resonated at the steps of the popular mural at Basilica of San Juan del Valle on Friday, Dec 19. La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), partners, and community members joined the recent campaign, Valle Fuerte, Valle Libre’s pro-immigration vigil to denounce family separations due to recent attacks on the immigrant community.
Vigil participants listened to Father Gomez and Tania Chavez Camacho, Executive Director of LUPE, talk about taking care of each other, especially in times of uncertainty and fear. Community care is so vital in these times and can have a lasting effect on individuals.
“Chequen a sus vecinos, pregúntales cómo han estado,” Chavez Camacho said. “Es muy importante que les llamemos a nuestros seres queridos.”
Following the remarks, attendees joined together in song, from the popular hymn Pueblo Libre to an original song written by a member called “Somos los inmigrantes”. The lyrics resonated with the audience as they sang together, and a sense of hope filled the space.
“Somos los inmigrantes, somos los inmigrantes
Somos los sembradores, de amor cultura y tradición”
Valle Fuerte, Valle Libre is a community-led campaign organized by LUPE’s immigration committee. After the current administration's anti-immigrant rhetoric and the increase in criminalization of immigrants via ICE raids and arrests, LUPE offered spaces for community members to meet and strategize on ways to combat the ongoing family separations and fear in our neighboring communities.
The campaign launched on Dec. 15 with a press conference announcing a Week of Action. Valle Fuerte, Valle Libre, carried out a series of actions and events to raise awareness of recent arrests and to condemn targeted attacks. Most importantly, the campaign’s goal was to reduce fear and equip valley folks with knowledge of their constitutional rights in case of an encounter with ICE agents.
Throughout the week of action, committee members focused on two things. One: to place yard signs with the campaign’s logo and a website link to learn more about the campaign, in places where there have been confirmed arrests or raids. Over 20 signs were installed in 10 cities throughout Hidalgo County. Two: Create and distribute 500 Know-Your-Rights kits to colonias, businesses, and the general public. Kits hold information on constitutional rights, phone numbers, samples of warrants, and other information in case a member or friend is detained, and what to do to help.
It’s our gente that makes the RGV such a vibrant and welcoming place – a place where generations of families have been able to put down roots and have prospered. It’s a place where neighbors take care of each other, not because we share fences, but because we share values, traditions, and so much more.
And now, more than ever, it’s time for us to exemplify the qualities that make the valle, the warm and friendly place we’ve made for each other. But what happens when the things and people who make it warm aren’t there?
During the vigil, Father Gomez emphasized the importance of scripture and how we are told to help our neighbor.
“Nuestro prójimo es quien necesita nuestra ayuda, ahorita.Y ahorita los que necesitan nuestra ayuda son los inmigrantes.
The valle is fuerte, but not libre. We are not free until all of our neighbors can leave their homes without the uncertainty of not coming home. We are not free until parents can drop off their children at school without the fear of not being able to pick them up. We are not free until community members can go grocery shopping without having to look over their shoulders.
We can’t talk about the valley’s beauty without talking about culture. We can’t talk about the culture without talking about the people. So, let’s talk about what we can do.
Join the movement, join Valle Fuerte, Valle Libre. Donate your time and help us get as much information out to our neighbors and community. Together we can and will keep the valle strong and free.
