Upcoming Rally Of Thousands In Austin Will Protest 'Sanctuary Cities' Bill

AUSTIN, TX — A rally scheduled for next week expected to draw thousands of participants will join together for a A Day of Action for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

The event will start with a march at 10 a.m. to Austin City Hall grounsd followed by and 11 a.m. rally at the Austin Capitol ending with dozens of advocacy visits with state representatives.

Delegations will travel to Austin to reiterate the dangers of Senate Bill 4, the so-call "Sanctuary Cities" bill that aims to eliminate and criminalize policies with a more nuanced approach to immigration enforcement policy. Those gathered will call attention on the dangers the bill "....poses to public safety, the liability it would place on local governments, and the devastating impact it would have on families and communities across the state."

The even begins with a 10 a.m. march to Austin City Hall, located at 301 W. 2nd St. and then a rally the following hour at the Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.

People from across the state are scheduled to participate, including those from Alamo, Arlington, Austin, Brownsville, Dallas, Donna, Edinburg, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Mercedes, Mission, Pharr, San Antonio, San Benito and San Juan.

The event is being organized by RITA, the leading grassroots statewide alliance of pro-immigrant organizations and allies in the business, religious, and law enforcement sector. The group describes its mission as one working to develop and foster an inclusive environment in Texas.

The Texas Together Campaign, a project of RITA, also is involved in the event. The campaign describes itself as a legislative advocacy effort rooted in values of neighborliness and hospitality, welcoming and acceptance, and respect for the dignity and rights of all persons. The campaign said it advocates against anti-immigrant legislative proposals that threaten these values and put the safety of all Texans at risk.

>>> Photo by Tony Cantú