150 turn out for silent vigil for migrants
More than 150 people lined Savannah Road near the Zwaanendael Museum the evening of July 21 for a silent vigil for the migrants held in detention centers along the border.
People of all ages and races stood in silence holding signs and candles to show support for the children, women and men being held by border patrol.
“We came together to silently witness our distress and concern about the situation, and to really express our solidarity with them, and that they deserve to be treated with a greater level of care,” said the Rev. Canon Mark Harris of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, who organized the public display with two friends. “We really stand out against the separation of children from the parents and parents from their children.”
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” read one sign. “Close the camps,” “Free the children” and “All God’s children” read others.
Although organized by Harris, the vigil was not affiliated with St. Peter’s or any other organization. Harris noted that several churches and civic organizations were represented.
“We really got a good cross-section of people,” he said.
Harris said the community’s reaction was mostly positive during their 45 minutes of silence. They received many honks of support and thumbs up, but there were a few who objected to their stance.
Harris reached out to the Delaware congressional delegation prior to the event. He said they were unable to attend, but Sen. Tom Carper and Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester sent notes in support of their vigil.
“As a mother, I cannot imagine anything more devastating than having your child taken from you without any information about their whereabouts, their living conditions or when you may be reunited,” Blunt Rochester wrote. “Let me be clear, the policy of separating innocent children from their families is cruel, inhumane and inconsistent with the values upon which this country was founded.”
Carper wrote, “There is no doubt that immigration is a complicated issue – one that has vexed Congress for too long and will not be solved overnight. But there is one thing that is not complicated at all: how our country should be treating innocent and vulnerable children.”
The group is planning to meet soon to discuss future demonstrations.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
