TODAY: Rally at 11am in front of Rep. Castro’s San Antonio office calling on him to be a champion for immigrants in sanctuary
The rally follows four arrests at Rep. Hurd’s office yesterday in solidarity with sanctuary leaders Hilda Ramirez and Alirio Gámez
Who: Hilda Ramirez, Alirio Gámez, San Antonio community members, the Austin Sanctuary Network, and the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry
Where: Offices of Joaquín Castro - 727 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd, Suite B-128, San Antonio, TX 78206
When: Thursday, September 27, 11am until the organizers have heard from Rep. Castro that discretion has been granted for Hilda Ramirez and Alirio Gámez
SAN ANTONIO — Members of the San Antonio community will be joining the Austin Sanctuary Network at a rally today at Rep. Joaquín Castro's office calling for discretion sanctuary leadership Alirio Gámez and Hilda Ramirez.
Hilda Ramirez and Alirio Gámez have left the protection of their Sanctuary churches in a fight for their lives. Aliro was recently diagnosed with serious health issues but cannot receive the medical care he needs while in sanctuary. Hilda hasn’t been able to participate fully in her son’s life for 4 years due to the threat of deportation. They need immediate relief from the threat of deportation and the confinement of sanctuary that has taken a toll on their health and prevented them from living their lives with true freedom and dignity.
“Yesterday, I visited the office of Rep. Castro to ask for relief for myself, Hilda and her son Ivan,” said Alirio Gámaz, who has been in sanctuary at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin for more than a year. “I’ve spoken to many people around the country who are currently in Sanctuary and are desperate for support. We hope that Rep. Castro can be a hero for us today.”
Today’s rally comes a day after Austin Sanctuary Network Members went to Rep. Will Hurd’s office calling for him to put pressure on ICE to attain discretion from deportation for Hilda Ramirez. Instead of agreeing to help Hilda, Rep. Hurd called the police on ASN members and four were arrested in an act of civil disobedience.
Organizers are hoping for more from Rep. Castro who personally called Alirio Gámaz yesterday and promised to inquire about prosecutorial discretion with ICE. He said he should have an answer today by 3pm.
“We are standing by to see if Rep. Castro will be the champion Alirio and Hilda need or if we will receive a response similar that we received at Rep. Hurd’s office yesterday,” said Claudia Muñoz, immigration programs director for Grassroots Leadership.
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