Thread: Hispanics mobilize against immigration law

Hispanics mobilize against immigration law

FORT VALLEY -- In the parking lot of New Hope International Church at 7 a.m. July 2, members of the church, as well as Sacred Heart Catholic Church, are almost ready for a trek to Atlanta.

Dressed in white, they are off to protest the newly implemented House Bill 87, aimed at curbing illegal immigration in the state.
JASON VORHEES/THE TELEGRAPH Father Pablo Migone with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with back to camera, recites a prayer as local Hispanics from Sacred Heart and New Hope International Church gathered July 2 at New Hope International before traveling to Atlanta to take part in an immigration march.
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While most parts of the law went into effect July 1, some of the most controversial parts -- a provision that requires law enforcement check the immigration status of someone who can’t provide proper identification and punishments for those who transport or harbor illegal immigrants -- were blocked from taking effect until a legal challenge to HB 87 is resolved. State officials have since asked the decision to block those parts be overturned.

Others from St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Macon and St. Juliana Catholic Church in Fort Valley planned to meet the group in Atlanta, with organized participation in the rally at the Georgia Capitol among the latest in the efforts of local leaders to mobilize the Hispanic community in Middle Georgia.

Before the group headed north, Father Pablo Migone from Sacred Heart prayed in Spanish for the safety of the group.

“Having legal papers doesn’t take away the dignity God gives us (and) we have as human beings,â€

[quote]“The majority of these people, from either fear or not wanting to speak out, they’ve gotten tired,â€