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A group of local community organizers and activists will host Families Belong Together, a peaceful rally kicking off 11 a.m. Saturday in Springwood Avenue Park.

The event joins the over 600 nationwide day of action events being held in protest of the federal immigration policy that resulted in nearly 2,000 children being separated from their parents and held in fenced detention centers.

And while President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end his administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy [which came on the heels of the June 14 rallies], it does not offer any concrete  plan to reunite families.

Local organizers include members of the Asbury Park Women’s March, Asbury Park Women’s Convention, Kivvit, and Garden State Equality.

“We can no longer just stand by and hope that things get better,” organizers Stephanie Hunnell and Sylvia Breitowich said in a joint statement. “Now is a time for action, by making our voices heard not just through voting, but also through protest. It is inhumane how these children have been treated, and the president’s executive order did nothing to address it.”

The event will include personal testimonials, with most speakers being men, women, and children who have been directly affected by these policies. The lineup of speakers also includes  local dignitaries, entertainers, and community leaders.

The 1.4 square mile diverse community has a year round of population of 15,850, of which 22.8 percent are foreign born, according to the most recent Census figures.

“At the core of the United States is our love of our country, family, and equality,” Women’s March Asbury Park Dani Fiori and Amanda Kane organizers said in a joint statement. “It is from the core of these values that we ask you to join us to send a message of unity, love, acceptance, and basic human dignity for the preservation of families.”

The event will also serve as a call to action with directives from immigration and policy experts on how individuals can help support the mission moving forward.

“So often in history there are pivotal moments where we can either let injustice occur, or we can choose to step up and change the course of this country for the better,” Comedian Jess Alaimo, a founding member of the Asbury Park Women’s Convention said. “This is one of those times where we need to show our presence. We need to show that Americans will not stand for this.”

The Families Belong Together rally will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Springwood Avenue Park, located at the corner of Atkins Avenue.  To RSVP, volunteer, and for sponsorship information, visit the eventbrite.com listing.

[Photo courtesy of PBS.ORG – McAllen, Texas June 17 protest at the U.S.-Mexico border, Photo by Ai-jen Poo]

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