New Hampshire faith leaders will start a trek from Manchester to Dover in a four day “Solidarity Walk for Immigrant Justice” on August 22. They will pray at St. Anne-St Augustin, 382 Beech St., at 9 a.m. then walk to the Norris Cotton Federal Building, 275 Chestnut St., where immigrants have I.C.E. hearings, and from there begin their 4-day trek to Dover.
Father Samuel Fuller, OFM Cap, a Franciscan Friar serving at St. Anne-St. Augustin, Manchester’s most diverse parish, said “Our walk will mirror the trip an immigrant who is detained by I.C.E. takes from the Federal Building to the Strafford County Jail and possible deportation. Sadly, this is a journey several of our parishioners have already made in shackles and in fear.”
The Solidarity Walk is being planned by the many faith groups that have held prayer vigils outside the Norris Cotton Federal Building over the past year.
The Solidarity Walk will pass through the towns of Auburn, Candia, Raymond, Epping, Lee, Madbury and Dover. Rev. Jason Wells, Executive Director of NH Council of Churches, stated that walkers expect to walk about 11 miles each day. Each evening the Solidarity Network will host informational meetings and presentations in towns along the route. The walk will conclude with a prayer service and vigil outside the Stafford County Jail in Dover, NH.
Eva Castillo, Vice President of the Granite State Organizing Project said, “Many do not understand the forces that drive people to flee their homelands, the complexities of the immigration system or the hardships faced by migrants; we hope to have positive and productive conversations with Granite Staters of all political persuasions along our journey.”
Clergy and lay leaders from multiple faith traditions as well as immigrant justice activists from across New Hampshire are expected to participate. Walkers are welcome to join the Solidarity Walk for an hour, a day, or all four days.
The public is invited to attend any of the Immigrant Solidarity Network three evening events as a part of their sojourn:
Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 each evening, all are welcome
Wednesday August 22, 2018 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Why We Flee, What We Leave Behind and How We Cross
Guest Speakers include Eva Castillo, Lead Organizer, NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees,
Father Samuel Fuller OFM Cap.
Arnie Alpert, co-director American Friends Service Committee and local immigrant families
Manchester Unitarian Universalist Church
Thursday, August 23, 2018 6:30 -8:00 pm
Why We Flee, What We Leave Behind and How We Cross
Guest Speakers include Eva Castillo, Lead Organizer, NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees,
Rev. Sandra Pontoh
Arnie Alpert, co-director American Friends Service Committee and local immigrant families
Community Church of Durham, UCC
17 Main Street, Durham
Friday, August 24, 2018 6:30 – 8:00
BE UNAFRAID: Be Unafraid to ask the questions, Be unafraid to listen to the answers, Be unafraid to be the one to start a movement of hope!
Video and discussion
Guests include: Eva Castillo, Lead Organizer, NH Alliance for Immigrants and Refugees,
Rev. Sandra Pontoh and Sarah Jane Knoy, Executive Director of the Granite State Organizing Project
Community Church of Durham, UCC
17 Main Street, Durham
Click for more information.
The Solidarity Walk for Immigrant Justice is sponsored by the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network, including the American Friends Service Committee-NH Program, the Granite State Organizing Project, the NH Alliance of Immigrants and Refugees, the NH Council of Churches, Immigrant and Refugee Support Group of the United Church of Christ’s NH Conference, Unitarian Universalist Action New Hampshire and the United Valley Interfaith Project.
