This Friday, beginning along Broadway and 39th, expect to see a lot of commotion outside of the Funko Field. The national Lights for Liberty
is holding a sibling rally in Everett, paired with more than 700 others, protesting the detention centers and border control policies.
Lights for Liberty describes themselves as, “a coalition of people, many of whom are mothers, dedicated to human rights, and the fundamental principle
behind democracy that all human beings have a right to life, liberty and dignity.”
The momentum for the protest is being fueled by concerns at US borders, where detention centers meant for short term custody are being overcrowded and
overwhelmed, which is then paired with Federal policies which preclude the release of detainees while awaiting deportation or asylum decisions.
From an issued press release, local Paula Townsell shared, “I believe that Friday will be a truly historic day. These nationwide actions will further call
into focus the issue of human rights violations being perpetrated by this Administration. We are calling for an end to children being torn from their
families, only to be warehoused like animals. This can never become ‘normal.’ I want lawmakers to end public policies of systemic racism and discrimination,
and end this Administration’s abuse of power. I want sanctuary, not incarceration, for asylum seekers.” Paula is also a local organizer.
From the press release: “Key events are planned in El Paso, Texas, where migrants are being housed in outdoor conditions under a bridge with no running
water for months at a time; Homestead, FL, at a migrant child detention facility that has caused mass abuse and neglect; in San Diego, near the point
of entry site from Tijuana; in New York City, at Foley Square, where hundreds of migrants are processed through detention a day; and in Washington,
DC, in Lafayette Park, to demand action from Congress to end concentration camps and impeach the President. Specifically, the protesters are holding
a Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps. The event will bring thousands of people to locations worldwide as well as to concentration camps across
country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants.”
Community members interested or passionate about the cause are joining in. The event itself is organized by “SnoCo Indivisible, with support from the North
Sound Progressive People’s Summit, Snohomish County Women’s March Huddle, ForEverett and local faith leaders.”
“Now is the time for every person to stand up and say, ‘We will not accept this!’ No more hesitating. No more denial. No more fear. We need to be bold,
and loud, and unrelenting. That’s the only way we can stop this,” said Kristin Mink, activist and national organizer.
