A religious pilgrimage that began at the U.S.-Mexico border—to raise awareness about families broken apart by deportation—stops in Costa Mesa tonight for a public rally.
The El Camino del Inmigrante pilgrimage is scheduled to reach The Crossing Church, 2115 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, at 7 p.m.
The faith-based Orange County Congregation Community Organization (OCCCO) is supporting the event called #Strangers No More by registering voters and sharing resources about civic engagement.
The goal, organizers say, is to transform the divisive narrative currently overwhelming the public discourse on immigration and to show solidarity with immigrants and refugees.
“The church continues to demonstrate that loving your neighbor is core to its belief and practice,” says Glen Peterson, office director with World Relief-Garden Grove, which is among the event participants. “Contrary to the divisive narrative in some places, this event, #Strangers No More, shows the solidarity with immigrants, refugees and the church.”
The 11-day El Camino del Inmigrante pilgrimage began Aug. 20 at the border and is scheduled to conclude Tuesday at the Los Angeles Detention Center where suspected undocumented immigrants are held. By today, the 100+ faith and community leaders from across the country who are participating will have completed 92 miles of the 150-mile trek. This is day seven.
Besides OCCCO and World Relief-Garden Grove, #Strangers No More participants include the Christian Community Development Association, Bread for the World, California Endowment, Mika, The National Immigration Forum, Solidarity and St. Joseph’s Community Partnership Fund.
Click here for a full schedule of El Camino del Inmigrante events.
