Day of Action defending immigrant survivors of violence from deportation
Griselda Cruz-Lopez faces imminent deportation despite domestic violence U Visa pending. Representative Cuellar has been called upon to stop dangerous precedent
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.
RALLY
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
VIGIL
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
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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.
