Both the Lake Chapala and Guadalajara chapters of Democrats Abroad will stage separate vigils Saturday, June 30, in support of the “Keep Families Together” rallies being held in multiple cities across the United States, and others around the globe.
The event aims to protest the Trump Administration’s border policies, in particular the separation of parents and children crossing into the United States from Mexico.
It is backed by numerous groups in the United States, including the Domestic Workers’ Alliance, MoveOn.org, ACLU, VotoLatino, ColorLines.com, Familiesbeingtogether.org and Greenpeace.
In Ajijic, the gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the “Broken Airplane sculpture” by Pranzo Bistro on the Carretera in La Floresta, Ajijic. Preceding this chapter’s rally, on Friday, June 29, 11 a.m., a group sign-making event will take place at Rio Papalaopan 66, in West Ajijic (past La Casa del Waffle, right onto Rio Lerma). Participants are encouraged to bring their ideas to this event or to make their own signs at home with positive messages.
The Democrats Abroad vigil in Guadalajara will take place from 11 a.m. to noon outside the U.S. Consulate General on Calle López Cotilla near Calle Progreso. They ask sympathizers to bring signs of their own making to hold and display.
A similar protest in front of the U.S. Consulate was held on Thursday, June 21, in which around 30 Mexican men, women and children took part.
Although President Donald Trump caved into political pressure and signed an executive order June 22 meant to end the separation of families at the border, many children have not been reunited with their parents.
A lawsuit filed on behalf of 17 states and the District of Columbia lawsuit this week asked a federal court to declare the practice of denying asylum-seekers entry and separating immigrant families illegal and order the administration “to stop implementing them immediately.” It also asks the court to order the United States “to reunite every family separated by these unlawful acts immediately.”
At a business event last week in Guadalajara, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval called Trump a “tyrant” while criticizing his immigration policy.
“Challenging times are ahead of us,” the governor said. “The economic, trade and migratory polices of the president of the United States are very aggressive and intolerant, privileging the interests of a few and violating basic, universal human rights.”
All are welcome to attend either of the vigils, regardless of the nationality. More information on the June 30 rallies – as well as signs that can be printed out – can be obtained at familiesbelongtogether.org.
On familiesbelongtogether.org’s list of suggested texts for protestors to take to the vigils are: “The majority of Americans want this to end now! Are we not a democracy? To the USA – you will go down in history for this ... take the high road now! We stand by our neighbors in this fight! Where have our values gone? If seeking a better way of life is a crime, change the law!”