Immigration reform vigil tonight

Published 9:45 am Friday, July 24, 2009

Nonprofit organization Centro Campesino will host its last of a series of immigration reform vigils tonight at Fountain Lake Park at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Fountain Street in Albert Lea.

According to an e-mail sent out by the Owatonna-based group, the vigil is part of the organization’s Journey of Hope campaign, that has a purpose of “keeping the light of immigration reform alive and bright.”

It will begin at 8 p.m.

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Similar vigils have taken place during the past three months in various cities in the area. More than 300 community members have come to these meetings in Owatonna, Northfield and most recently, Austin, the organization’s Web site stated.

“As a result of this work, community members have created committees to work on different actions in favor of immigration reform such as marches, vigils and congressional visits,” the site continued.

While they have worked to keep the light of immigration reform alive, the anti-immigrant groups have also been active, especially in the rural southern Minnesota region, according to an e-mail sent out by the organization.

It referenced an anti-immigration demonstration in Austin on July 11 and the newly announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract with Freeborn County to house detained immigrants at the Freeborn County Jail.

“Community members are afraid, they are confused, and most of all, they need our support to stand strong and continue the journey of hope,” the e-mail stated.

Centro Campesino can be found Online at www.centrocampesino.net.