A call for nationwide awareness and commemoration of the Postville, Iowa, immigration raid will be held May 12 in Postville. That date marks the first anniversary of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on Postville.
To stand in solidarity with the 389 people who were detained and their families, a nationwide day of remembrance has been declared to promote awareness of the devastating effects of raids, organizers said.
The prayer vigil and walk to commemorate the event will start at 3:30 p.m. May 12 with participants gathering at St. Bridget’s Church, 141 W Williams St, Postville. The prayer service will start at 4 p.m. followed by the solidarity walk to Agriprocessors at 5 p.m.
The event is a unified call for comprehensive immigration reform, just labor practices, family unity and an end to raids.
Organizers said invitations will be sent throughout the country to political and faith leaders, social justice advocacy groups, and all who offered assistance to those affected by the raid, requesting their presence in body or spirit on the day of the event.
Organizers are asking faith communities of all denominations to sound a call for justice by ringing of church bells or blowing of the shofar at 10:00 a.m., the time the raid began.
Text of the prayer vigil and remembrance will be available for adaptation for local use after April 15 at www.postvillestbridget.org.
Individuals and towns are encouraged to don red ribbons as in Postville on the day of the raid.
