Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Day (IRAD) Recap

by Co-Executive Director Joey Lopez

For years, the Church Council has served on the Steering Committee for the WA Immigration Solidarity Network (WAISN). This year, we joined over 500 other Washingtonians in Olympia. We gathered to learn about this year’s policy priorities. Then we moved to the Capitol Grounds for a march and rally. During the march, we hit a point in the route where we had to be silent. There is so much to be said about this expectation of silence — whose voices get to be heard and how, whose life/work should not be interrupted. All these thoughts flowed through my head, but the overwhelming feeling of grief became present as the group got silent.

The day before IRAD, WAISN shared with its entire network that they received reports that immigration officials would be in Olympia and possibly on Capitol Grounds. WAISN encouraged all participants to make the best decision for themselves and charged those of us with citizenship privilege to show up for the march and rally. The members from our Grupo de Solidaridad who signed up to attend decided to stay home! And so, I attended IRAD activities alone. The sudden silence became a catalyst to attend to my grief, that mi gente (my people) were not able to be present. And this grief has deeply seeded roots.

I come from two peoples – rural blue collar factory workers, and those colonized, with citizenship thrust upon them. Growing up in a small, rural community, local industry constantly pitted laborers against one another, creating a breeding ground for anti-migrant, xenophobic sentiments to run rampant. I experienced this sentiment from the insults slung my way by classmates, and the whispers of adults when I or other Latine peers entered the room. While my people were US citizens, rather by birth or something thrust upon them, the world shaped me to doubt my worth and told me I was unwelcomed. This shaped me and pushed me to make a choice – adapt and assimilate, or push back against the deep-rooted systems around me.

The grief I felt at IRAD has roots in the grief I felt as a kid. It is the spark that fuels my commitment to solidarity with migrant community members.

Last week is only a blip of what we can expect in the coming days, weeks, months, and years from the Trump Administration. This moment calls us to dig deep and find the stories and values that undergird our solidarity, constantly orienting us to following the leadership of migrant voices. This moment calls us to reflect: How do I utilize the privilege that protects me to amplify my impacted neighbor?

During this time may we live into the messiness that honors our intentions and calls us to be accountable to our impacts. May we find patience and grace with one another as we figure this out. May we, especially those of us with less to lose, slow down and listen for how to show up and act. May it be so!