St. Williams Catholic Parish in Louisville held a press conference this morning to declare that it was taking an even stronger stand in the “sanctuary” movement, resisting the “present administration’s increasingly racist rhetoric, tolerance for white supremacist terrorism, and encouragement of harsh enforcement by ICE and Border Patrol agents.”
As part of this work, the church has established an immigrant-led support ministry to accompany immigrant families and individuals, has helped to found the Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Justice, has supported La Casita Center and Mijente Louisville, and has taken part in direct action efforts.
At today’s press conference, the church called for the following:
- the immediate closure of brutal and overcrowded detention centers at the southern border
- reunification of families
- honoring the right of asylum for those who seek safety in the U.S.
- comprehensive immigration reform to provide dignified safety to the millions of undocumented persons already living here, and
- structural economic reforms to combat the root causes of poverty (driven by U.S. economic and military dominance) that push people to migrate in the first place.
In addition, the church is working with ICIJ to explore a sanctuary network, which could include numerous congregations offering short-term shelter to persons in emergency situations, as well as other efforts to support immigration justice.
ForwardKY contributor Del Ramey was at today’s press conference and took the following photos.