News

April march supports rights

By Br. Steve Herro, O.Praem.

	MARCH FOR RIGHTS: More than 3,000 people marched in the rain on Sunday, April 2, in Green Bay to support the rights of immigrants. Proposed federal legislation, H.R. 4437, sponsored by Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner, would, among other things, make aiding illegal immigrants a felony. The rally started outside St. John the Evangelist Church and ended at the Brown County Courthouse. Above: Dcn. Luis Sanchez of St. Willebrord Parish (second from left) joins the march. (Rick Evans photo)
	Related articles: from April 9, 2006 issue: • Treat immigrants as Jesus would: Bishop     (statement from Green Bay Bp. David Zubik     on immigration legislation) • Bishop urges congressional support     (text of letter Bp. David Zubik recently sent to     Wisconsin's senators and local representatives) from March 31, 2006 issue: • Milwaukee protests HR-4437     Day without Latinos shows effects of proposed     border laws from March 24, 2006 issue: • Editorial -- Positive reform     U.S. Senate and public should back McCain-     Kennedy immigration bill, not Sensenbrenner

More than 3,000 persons carrying flags from the United States, Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua gathered April 2 at the Multicultural Center of Greater Green Bay to march for immigrant rights.

The marchers, led by an eight-foot banner proclaiming "March for Immigrants Rights" and the U.S. flag, walked the six blocks proclaiming "Si se puede" (yes, we can!). The route ended at the front steps of the Brown County Courthouse, where a Puerto Rican band played music and speakers addressed the need for immigration law reform.

The participants endured a steady rain shower and temperatures in the 40s. In addition to immigrant rights, supporters from Green Bay Catholic parishes and religious orders, advocates from St. Mary Parish, Omro, and St. Therese, Appleton, were present to show support.

Green Bay Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau, delivered the first address from the court house steps. In it, he emphasized Catholic Charities long history of involvement with the marginalized; Sr. Maria Drzewiecki, OSF, Catholic Charities Hispanic Outreach, translated.

Some of the marchers talked about why they were there.

"This is not a Hispanic issue, this is everybody's issue," Rosendo Amor said. "Everybody's an immigrant and we all should be here."

David Gauthier said he was there because his relatives have served in El Salvador and Guatemala and he has worked long hours to help Brown County Hmong and Spanish speaking migrants gain their U.S. citizenship. Immigrant rights advocates in Brown County need to increase the percentage of immigrants working toward citizenship, Gauthier said. The church and other social service providers must not only help place immigrants, but also strengthen the process of inculturation or many immigrant families will become a long term underclass, he said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been an outspoken supporter of immigrant rights, lobbying Congress for comprehensive immigration legislation that includes a path to earned citizenship, worker permits for immigrants, and policies that unite separated immigrant parents and children.

Church leaders recognize that because the U.S. House of Representatives passed an immigration bill in December 2005 (HR-4437) and the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee passed a contrary bill in March 2006, there may be months of negotiation ahead. Reps. Tom Petri and Mark Green voted with the majority in the House bill; Wisconsin Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl voted with the majority to advance the alternate immigration bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

(Br. Herro is a member of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, and the social concerns consultant for the Green Bay Diocese.)