Supporters rally for immigrant families in Norwalk

NORWALK — Saturday's heat didn't stop area residents from coming together to rally for change. More than 20 people marched in opposition to separating immigrant families Saturday in downtown Norwalk. The demonstration was organized by Norwalk resident Gina Woody via Facebook.The march began in the parking lot at St. Paul Catholic Church, the home parish for 31 of the 114 Corso's workers arrested by federal agents June 5. Demonstrators walked down Main Street and ended the march at the Huron County Courthouse, where multiple people spoke about their frustrations with the Trump administration.On the courthouse steps, Woody told the crowd she believes Jesus, Mary and Joesph were refugees when they fled Bethlehem for Egypt after Jesus' birth. "If we transport him to today, Jesus would have been ripped from Mary's arms and Mary and Joesph would be arrested," she said.She criticized U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions for using the Bible to validate separating immigrant families and read Matthew 25:35 out loud, which says: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in.""All of you are capable of change," she said. Eric Zagrans, campaign chairman for Democratic candidate Janet Garrett's congressional campaign, defended immigrants' reasons for entering the country and encouraged people to tell others to vote their conscious in November."These people have done nothing wrong," he said. "They're fleeing rape, drugs … they're coming here for a more peaceful life."Religious leaders offered prayers for change, with some given in Spanish. Demonstrators were encouraged to have conversations with those who don't agree with them."Bigotry has been given a voice, so we have to have a public voice for compassion and care," said Friar Vincent Petersen of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey after the event. Between sentences of speeches, demonstrators chanted "stop it now" and held up signs like "Trump and Pence have got to go" and "Immigrants make America great." Oberlin resident Mariana Thomas, 13, made a sign that said "Somos unidos," or "We are united" in English. She attended a similar rally in her hometown before heading to Norwalk with her parents."I have friends who are immigrants," she said. "They're really amazing people and I don't want anything to happen to them."Woody was pleased to see residents from Sandusky, Vermilion and beyond at the event."I think (it) went beautifully," she said. "It was nice to see many people from the area here."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodDemonstrators hold up signs during a rally against immigrant family separation at the Huron County Courthouse in Norwalk on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Frair Vincent Petersen of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey speaks to the crowd gathered at the Huron County Courthouse at a rally against immigrant family separation in Norwalk on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Norwalk resident Gina Woody prays during a rally she organized in opposition to immigrant family separation at the Huron County Courthouse in Norwalk on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Oberlin resident Mariana Thomas, 13, holds up a sign which says "Somos unidos" or "We are united" in English at a rally against immigrant family separation in Norwalk on Saturday, June 30, 2018. Eric Zagrans, campaign chairman for Democratic candidate Janet Garrett's congressional campaign, speaks to the crowd gathered at the Huron County Courthouse for a rally against immigrant family separation in Norwalk on Saturday, June 30, 2018.