Austin Activists Stage 'Families Belong Together' Protest (Video)

AUSTIN, TX — Hundreds of people gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday to protest the Trump administration's current policy of separating children from their parents immigrating to this country — one of at least 50 such protests dubbed "Families Belong Together" in various U.S. cities with thousands of participants.

District 51 State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez and Angela-Jo Touza-Medina, the executive director of the Greater Austin YWCA, gave impassioned speeches condemning the current practice of separating families. Top Trump administration officials — chiefly Chief of Staff John F. Kelly and U.S. Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions — have publicly acknowledged in media interviews and press conference the family-separation tactic is being implemented to dissuade future immigration.

The local protest took place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the south steps of the Capitol building. It was attended by about 300 people. Other speakers included Daniela Rojas, Youth Coordinator, Jolt Texas; Elissa Steglich, clinical professor, UT Law Immigration Clinic; Courtney Toretto, staff member for the office of District 35 U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett; Dr. Pritesh Gandhi, People’s Community Clinic; and Rev. Jim Rigby, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Kym Whitehead issued the call to action, and Micaela Eller provided the introduction and led a moment of silence.

Since the aggressive deterrent was adopted by the Trump administration on April 27, migrants have shared their stories of torment in having their children stripped from their clutches. The children, including infants, have been taken to detention camps euphemistically called "tent cities" by Immigration, Customs & Enforcement (ICE) agents with the blessings of the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, immigrants successful negotiating the perilous journey northward from Latin America are left not knowing the status of their children's well-being. Children, too, are left in facilities tantamount to jails without knowing the fate of their parents.

Many in the crowd carried signs in solidarity with the activist organizers. "No Concentration Camps in Texas," read one woman's sign. "Immigrant Rights are Human Rights," read her companion's message. "Humanity First," read a third woman's more succinct missive.

Patch broadcast part of the event live, capturing speeches by a young student who is a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) beneficiary (a policy instituted by the Obama administration), Lucio and Touza-Medina. Hear what they had to say in the video below:

Note: The surname of District 51 State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, who was among the speakers, is incorrectly referenced. Patch regrets the error.

From earlier:

AUSTIN, TX — Hundreds of people are expect to descend on the grounds of the state Capitol on Thursday evening to protest the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant children from their parents amid an immigration crackdown.

The Austin rally of the national protests dubbed "Families Belong Together" is scheduled to take place on the south steps of the Texas Capitol building from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 14.

"We have been working with local and national organizations to raise our voices in protest against this inhumane treatment of people who are seeking refuge at our door," organizers wrote on the Facebook event page. One of those organizations, Grassroots Leadership, previously staged an event in front of City Hall in support of the city council's vote on efforts to mitigate the disproportionate number of minorities jailed in Austin for minor offenses.

Trump administration officials, including Chief of Staff John F. Kelly and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have confirmed use of the tactic in separating families as an aggressive form of deterring future immigration. Since implementation of the policy, immigrants have shared agonizing tales of being separated from their children placed in separate detention camps throughout the state.

At last check, nearly 300 people in Austin had confirmed their attendance, with another 907 expressing an interest in doing so.

"Families Belong Together opposes the cruel, inhumane and unjustified separation of children from their parents along the U.S. border with Mexico and at other ports of entry into the U.S.," national organizers wrote on their website, explaining the purpose of the gatherings. "We protest the conditions in which these children are kept. We protest the irreversible trauma that has already been perpetrated on these children and their parents for the crime of seeking a better life."

Organizers point to the net effect of added trauma such policies have had on children accompanying their parents on their dangerous journey northward in seeking a better way of life and to escape crime and oppression.

"To separate immigrant families, victims of violence, hunger and poverty, is to re-violate them," Families Belong Together officials wrote. "Children as young as 18 months are torn from their mother’s arms by the U.S. government. This is violent abuse. These families are victimized again by the government to which they turn for help. Families Belong Together opposes the inhumane policies of the Trump Administration, Border Patrol, and I.C.E. and calls for immediate reform."

More than 4,000 people signed up for marches, rallies and vigils in cities across the country scheduled today, according to The Action Network. Those unable to attend events can follow the initiative on the Internet at familiesbelong.org or on Facebook and/or Twitter.

>>> Photos by Tony Cantú/Patch staff