Protesters gathered in Mellon Square in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, calling for an end to the Trump Administration’s policy of separating immigrant families that are detained at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Organizers said the event is one of hundreds taking place around the country as part of the National “Families Belong Together” Day of Action.
They said want the president to permanently end family separation, immediately reunify those that have already been separated and end family incarceration. They also want a stop to the policy of 100 percent prosecution for those illegally crossing the border.
Methodist Rev. Sally Jo Snyder told the crowd that U.S. Attorney General Sessions is also a Methodist, which garnered boos.
Rev. Sally Jo Snyder, a Methodist, tells crowd that AG Sessions is also an Methodist. Ppl boo. "I don't know what Sunday school he went to?"
— Sarah Boden (@Sarah_Boden) June 30, 2018
She said all religious traditions share two values: "radical hospitality" and caring for children.
A representative from Democratic Sen. Bob Casey's office was in attendance at the rally and encouraged people to make their voices heard by getting involved in politics.
.@lfishback of @SenBobCasey 's office tells ppl to keep calling, keep emailing and vote. Ppl now chanting "vote, vote, vote!" Fishbach points to LWV table for registration.
— Sarah Boden (@Sarah_Boden) June 30, 2018
Attendees were energetic, despite temperatures approaching the 90s. This was at least the second immigration protest of the week. About 100 people rallied in front of Pittsburgh’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Monday, speaking out against Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy. They then marched to the Hot Metal Bridge, blocking traffic for about 45 minutes.
Earlier this month, protesters packed Pittsburgh’s Sixth Presbyterian Church shortly after Trump signed an executive order ending the family separation policy. Attendees said, despite the executive order, more still needs to be done.
