Hundreds Turn Out For March, Vigil In Hampton Bays On 'Day Without Immigrants'

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Carrying colorful signs and chanting "Love, not hate, makes America great," "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here," and "Stop the deportation," more than 300 turned out in Hampton Bays Thursday to mark a nationwide "Day Without Immigrants."

Immigrants did not show up for work and local businesses were shuttered as groups set out to show what the loss of employees would mean to the nation's economic and social engines.

In Hampton Bays, residents marched along Montauk Highway, ending up at St. Rosalie's Church for a vigil.

Daniela Wesley said she was marching with her baby Sophia Bennett, 15 months, and had a message: "Immigrants make America great," she said.

Heinde Lotkin, from Southampton, is an immigrant from Germany who said she was seeking "absorbable legislation" in the United States and in Mexico that is humane, fair and equal, and easily understood by all. "The world would be a better place to live if we didn't have to hide or waste energy in being afraid," she said.

Hampton Bays resident Laurie Werner, who sits on the Maureen's Haven board, an organization that helps the East End's homeless, said she was present because she has Latino neighbors. "I love them and support them," she said.

As cars honked, loud cheers went up from the crowd wending its way along Main Street in Hampton Bays.

Bridgehampton's Jessica Perez carried a sign that said, "I'm not an anchor baby." Speaking to Patch, she said she participated to support her parents and family who are "scared. It's frightening, and it's saddening." And, she said, the move to deport immigrants has some angry. "People are here helping the country. They're not just here to take benefits," she said.

Despite the cold temps, spirit kept the crowd warm as they chanted, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcomed here. This is what community looks like."

Gerardo Roma Garcia, pastor of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Amagansett said he was there to support the community and its members.

Nathan Berger, Long Island coordinator of Rural & Migrant Ministry, said, during a time of fear and uncertainty, he came to show support.

Currently, he said, there is an ever escalating climate of fear on the East End, with many terrified of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

There is rampant terror, Berger said. "Ask any of these people. They will tell you how much fear there is. There are rumors of people being picked up by ICE. They're afraid to go to the supermarket. To church. They're afraid to leave their houses."

Events such as Thursday's, he said, "show people they are not alone."

Angel Reyes of Glen Cove knows the fear firsthand: His mother was deported seven years ago, when he was just 18, back to Peru. "She was driving without a license. Back in 2009, there were raids in Suffolk County. She was detained. " Left behind were Reyes and his brother, then 13, but when his mother called for her younger son to join her in Peru, Reyes lost his entire immediate family. "I was confused and sad, going through a lot," he said.

But rather than live in anger or despair, he turned to advocacy. "We need to raise our voices against any inhumane act of oppression," he said. "Let's not hide. Let's keep fighting and not give up."

Lucius Ware, president of the eastern Long Island NAACP chapter, said he and the NAACP stand "one hundred percent behind the efforts here in Hampton Bays and across the country. They're so necessary, and we're going to be with this movement all the way."

East Quogue immigration attorney Chris Worth said fear of ICE raids is rippling through the community. "They're wondering, 'Are they going to happen?' 'Are they happening now?' They see police cars, and unarmed cars, and think it's a police raid. A lot of times they are wrong, but their fear is justified — it could be happening."

To that end, Worth said sessions are being held to inform immigrants of their rights, should ICE agents appear at their doors. One session will be held in Riverhead at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Isabel Sepulveda, founder of Organizacion Latino-Americana, said while fear is rampant, the fact that citizens marched alongside the undocumented Thursday is a good sign. "We should support each other," she said,

That said, caution is key and planning essential, she added. With ICE raids a possibility, with parents possibly taken away while their kids are at school, mothers and fathers should have a plan — a guardian chosen for their children.

The march, which was largely peaceful, was marked by some controversy: Tom Wedell, known for standing outside the Southampton Village 7-Eleven with a large sign that says, "When they jumped the fence, they broke the law," and others stood on Montauk Highway, rallying for what they believe.

"They're still here taking my jobs, the food out of my kids' mouth and the law is still not being enforced. I'm tired of it. The laws need to be enforced," he said.

"A Day without Immigrants" is a nationwide action where immigrants stay home from work to demonstrate how central and critical they are to the society and economy of the United States, said Carolyn Peabody of the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force.

The silent but strong show of solidarity had scores of immigrants walking off their jobs Thursday.

The event aims to highlight the terror that has many undocumented immigrants feeling unsettled and living in fear after ICE raids nationwide.

The event will likely leave a loud echo some say. "Depending on how large it is, it may really bring to light to the residents of our country what it would be like without them. No matter what side of this debate people are on," said Chris Talbot of the North Fork.

Patch photos and video by Lisa Finn.