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Some will testify in support of the resolution that will prevent immigrant communities from being targeted by local police and local agencies because of their race and/or immigration status.
Immigrants and community members from Make the Road CT will be joined by Bridgeport Generation Now, 32BJ, Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance and CT Student for a Dream at the rally from 6 to 8 p.m. at 45 Lyon Terrace.
More than 100 people turned out for a rally last Monday evening to fight President Donald Trump’s executive order severely restricting immigration and travel from seven Muslim-majority countries.
“Mr. President believes he owns the country like another (piece of) real estate he owns,” Fairfield University professor Ahmed Ebrahim said to cheers from the diverse crowd last week.
“This is about the soul and the heart of this country. This is unacceptable.”
City and state leaders joined the rally, organized by Make The Road CT and its supporters.
“I stand in solidarity with you,” said Mayor Joe Ganim.
Surrounded by City Council members, Ganim said he would welcome more dialogue to find solutions to the issues facing those in Bridgeport, which is believed to have the biggest population of immigrants and undocumented people in the state.
He was met with shouts of “sanctuary city,” a call for Bridgeport to seek designation as a safe haven for undocumented people.
Julio López, state director for Make The Road, called on those gathered to seek common ground and not worry about their differences.
“We should share one voice,” he said. “We should unite. We are here together.”
Make The Road held a smaller rally on the steps of City Hall on Jan. 19. López said he sees the movement gaining steam and more supporters.
Related story: Demonstrators call on Bridgeport to establish itself as a sanctuary city.
About 40 demonstrators rallied outside Bridgeport City Hall, calling on city leaders to designate Bridgeport as a sanctuary city where immigrants and refugees can find safe haven.
City Council member José Casco told the group he intended to submit a resolution to the council, noting several other cities around the state are designated as sanctuaries or have a resolution ready for a vote.
“Why Bridgeport cannot do that?” said Casco, who was born in Mexico. “Let’s get united and work together for our community.”
Julio López, state director of Make the Road, one of the rally’s organizers, said it’s believed that Bridgeport has the largest number of undocumented people in the state. He said his group is working with local schools and officials to help protect students and keep families together.
“It starts with the support of the mayor,” he said.
Mayor Joe Ganim was in Washington, D.C., the day of that rally preparing to attend the presidential inauguration.
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