TxHundreds trek up Mount Cristo Rey in support of opposition
Hundreds trek up Mount Cristo Rey in support of opposition
By Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 07/12/2008 11:47:37 AM MDT
Hundreds of area residents trekked up Mount Cristo Rey on Saturday to pray for comprehensive reform of the federal immigration system, and to voice opposition to the border fence.
The pilgrimage was led by El Paso Catholic Bishop Armando X. Ochoa, who was joined by members of the diocese's Justice for Immigrants Campaign, the Border Network for Human Rights, the El Paso Interreligious Sponsoring Organization and other parishes and community organizations.
"It's what Christ calls us to, to show solidarity with our brothers and sisters who suffer injustice," said Westsider Yanira Hernandez, who participated in Saturday's pilgrimage as part of St. Pius Catholic Community's JustFaith organization.
"They should be treated with the same human rights we would want to be treated with," Hernandez said.
During the pilgrimage, Ochoa cited several examples from the Bible, including Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt with the baby Jesus, as examples of the reasons many immigrants have for fleeing into the United States.
Ochoa has said he strongly supports comprehensive reform of current U.S. immigration laws, which he has called "ineffective", and has denounced the border fence as an "ineffective solution".
In March, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration met with officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Washington, D.C. to encourage the decrease or elimination of immigration raids, and asked that churches, hospitals and charities
not be targeted for enforcement actions, El Paso Catholic Diocese officials said.
The border fence is currently under construction in Sunland Park, N.M. Many of those who took part in Saturday pilgrimage called the fence "divisive". "It's an ugly way to divide people," said Anthony, N.M. resident Elena Araiza, who is a promoter for the Border Network for Human Rights. "There are better ways that are more just to agree on something that will support people coming here legally."
Planned fencing in El Paso will be 15 to 18 feet in height and stretch about 57 miles. The government hopes to complete the 670-mile security fence sometime this year.
Adriana M. Chávez may be reached at achavez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6117
I am so sick of this BS from the money hungry child molesting supporters .
http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_9858691
