To whom it may concern:
On April 28, Rev. Jose S. Landaverde, of the diocese of Quincy, Illinoisand chaplain of The Latin American Labor Councilin the company of many supporters from Chicago and the surrounding areas devoted to the cause of immigrant rights began an 800-mile journey walking toward Washington, D.C., from Aurora, Illinois.
We are walking to demand justice and dignity for our immigrant communities. We call on our nation's leaders to respect the basic human dignity of immigrants, to give permanent residence for recipients of TPS ( temporary protected status ) and DACA, to demilitarize the U.S./Mexico border, and to halt deportations and keep all immigrant families intact.
We have forged through, in spite of frequent stops, with little or vague justification, causing unnecessary delays and hardships like exhaustion, dehydration, malnutrition, blistered feet and Landaverde's precarious health situation. Yet, we remain steadfast in our resolve and cannot be deterred until justice prevails for our communities. We walk proudly, representing our brothers and sisters who can not make this journey because of fear of government repercussions and for the future of all immigrants.
On June 5, we will arrive in Washington, D.C., and will be met by more than 100 pastors, reverends and other clergymembers from throughout the country to demand permanent residence for recipients of TPS and DACA, to demilitarize the U.S./Mexico border and to halt deportations.
We demand that our elected representatives meet with us and join us in supporting our demands for justice and dignity for our immigrant communities.
In solidarity,
Jose S. Landaverde
P.S. We proudly support and sponsor Faith, Life and Hope Mission and Rev. Landaverde, Mexico Defiende Lo Tuyo, Mexica Tribe de Todo Aztlan, National Day Labor Organization, Chicago Metro LCLAA, The May Day Coalition, Solidarity DuPage, with immigrant rights organizations and businesses in Aurora, the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding suburbs and communities.