Day of Action defending immigrant survivors of violence from deportation

For immediate release: April 11, 2019

LAREDO, Tex. — Grassroots Leadership—in collaboration with MOVE Texas, Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, and local community organizations—are hosting a day of action in support of Griselda Cruz-Lopez, an asylum-seeker and domestic violence survivor who has been detained inside the Laredo Detention Center for more than a year. Cruz-Lopez faces criminal charges unless she signs her deportation within 30 days, despite her U Visa pending as a victim of domestic violence. If released, Cruz-Lopez would be reunited with her 6-year-old U.S. citizen daughter currently in danger.

The group will gather outside Representative Cuellar’s office to deliver a petition signed by over 700 community members and a letter signed by over 15 community, political, and faith-based organizations calling on the Congressman to intervene for the release of Griselda. Later in the afternoon, the group will have a vigil for immigrant survivors of violence with the intention of inviting the community to hold violence survivors’ stories and fight for survival in their hearts.

Information about the rally and vigil below:

WHAT: Public rally and submission of organizational demand letter signed by over 15 community, political, and faith-based organizations calling on Congressman Cuellar to intervene for the release of Griselda Cruz Lopez

WHO: Grassroots Leadership, Laredo Immigrant Alliance, MOVE Texas, Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, and members of the community

WHEN: Friday, April 12th, 12 PM CT

WHERE: In front of Congressman Cuellar’s office: 602 E. Calton Road, Suite 2

Laredo, Texas 78041

LINK TO FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

WHAT: Vigil for immigrant survivors of violence

WHO: Grassroots Leadership, Laredo Immigrant Alliance, MOVE Texas, Iglesia Bautista Emanuel, and members of the community

WHEN: Friday, April 12th, 6 PM CT

WHERE: Tres Laredos Park, Laredo, TX

VISUALS: Shrine, flowers, poetry recital, candles, community members wearing white

LINK TO FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

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Grassroots Leadership is an Austin, Texas-based national organization that works for a more just society where prison profiteering, mass incarceration, deportation, and criminalization are things of the past. Follow us @Grassroots_News.

MOVE Texas is a nonpartisan, nonprofit grassroots organization building power in underrepresented youth communities through civic education, leadership development, and issue advocacy

Laredo Immigrant Alliance is a group led by immigrants and allies that fight for immigrant's rights. It does so by engaging, educating, and organizing the community.