Fredericksburg, Va.—The Fredericksburg Chapter of Virginia Organizing held a vigil on Monday, August 25 at Old Mill Park to call on President Barack Obama to stop the deportations that separate immigrant families and support the refugee children crossing the Southern border. The vigil included a candlelight labyrinth created by local artist Patricia Smith for participants to spiritually reflect on the crisis families are facing.

 

“People say we should take care of our own instead of helping others. I completely disagree with that,” said Virginia Organizing Fredericksburg Chapter leader Aide Sanchez. “It is our moral duty to help people in need. Our actions speak louder than words.”

 

Dr. Daniel Trementozzi, Medical Director of the Caroline Christian Health Center, also spoke at the vigil.

 

“In God’s kingdom, there are no borders. His compassion doesn’t see those lines in the sand. God commands us to love the immigrant, and His love compels us to do that; to do something,” said Trementozzi.

 

Virginia Organizing has repeatedly called on President Obama and Congress to stop deportations and work toward comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

 

Photos are available by clicking here. To interview a spokesperson for Virginia Organizing, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.