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Indybay Feature

Fasting for Justice: Immigrant Rights

by R. Robertson
Demonstrators are fasting for eleven days, one day for each of the 11 million undocumented people in the US seeking political equality through immigration reform. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is a key player in this action, along with Peninsula Interfaith Action and other groups.

Top photo: Coming out of the shadows to interview with local media and bear witness for the cause.
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Maria Marroquin, Executive Director of the Mountain View Day Worker Center, has been fasting since May 1st. Along with others in a committed group of local immigrant rights activists, she will fast for eleven days, one day for each of the 11 million undocumented people in the US seeking political equality through immigration reform.

The group's spiritual fast is the first of a series of rolling actions to take place nationwide over the
course of the summer to bring voice to the national immigration debate. Their Motto: Not One More Deportation. Their goal is to make the end of deportations part of any reform that is to be enacted. Fasters in Mountain View began their fast immediately after the May Day march that was attended by hundreds in that city. They have been hosted by many local churches as they chose to spend the time of their fast in community with one another. From the Bay Area, the torch will be passed to continue the fast in Homestead, Florida, followed by Boston, Portland, New Jersey and additional sites.

Marroquin said, "We fast to demand that President Obama immediately suspend deportations. With more than 1,100 people deported each day, deportations are causing a crisis with families and children separated from their loved ones at the center. We ask the president to use his executive power to suspend deportation as Congress seeks a just immigration reform. AND we want Democrats and Republicans to pass immigration reform that’s inclusive of all 11 million undocumented people in the US."
§Christine, one of the fasters, takes a juice break
by R. Robertson
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The fast is a juice/water only commitment
§Karen Skold of the Unitarian Church of Palo Alto
by R. Robertson
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Karen is chair of the church's immigration task force. Edie Keating (not shown) is the church's representative to Peninsula Interfaith Action. Edie, with help from Karen and the church office, arranged for the fasters' overnight stay at the church. A workshop on immigration was held at the church the evening of May 7.
§Afternoon chanting and singing
by R. Robertson
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Filmed by two local TV stations. No Mas Deportationes! No More Deportations!
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