Casa San José and 50501 Pittsburgh host “Stand with Immigrants” rally downtown

Casa San José and 50501 Pittsburgh held a “Stand with Immigrants” rally outside of the City-County Building on Saturday afternoon. Around 500 people attended to hear speeches from local leaders and activists working to help those who are currently detained by ICE. Jaime Martinez, the Community Defense Organizer with Casa San José told the story of a detainee at the ICE Detention Facility in Philipsburg, Pa. Martinez said, “I had the chance to visit a detainee. He told me that when he was initially detained he spent days without a shower. When we called the jail that he was at they told us that visitation was not allowed for ICE detention.” Rally organizers displayed large banners that read “Who Would Jesus Deport” and “Resist Injustice – Due Process For All” in front of the City-County Building. Mayor Ed Gainey and Councilmember Barb Warwick also took to the microphone to let the crowd know how important is is to stand up for your neighbor.