Local citizens rallied in front of Orlando City Hall on June 14 in support of the Families Belong Together movement, a group that does not condone the separation of immigrant children and their parents that has been taking place along the U.S border. Directly stated from the organization’s website, familiesbelong.org, the cause “opposes the inhumane policies… and calls for immediate reform.”
The crowd circled the building chanting “immigrants rights are human rights.” and “No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” Each participant was asked to wear yellow and was given a yellow wristband. According to Sylvia McMillon, the Orlando Families Belong Together rally coordinator, the significance behind the color tied into the fact that yellow wristbands were placed on the children being detained by border control. McMillon further comments, “We’re wearing yellow in their honor.” Around 75 people showed up, and many carried signs that portrayed their aid to immigrant families being separated.
Orange County’s first Latina Teacher of the Year, Johanna López, was one of the speakers at the event and wanted to stand up for her students that were being personally affected by the situation. “I have a lot of students who experienced horrible stories when they were trying to walk through the border…specifically, students from Honduras and Mexico,” says López. She goes on to say that the issue at hand is something that will affect the nation as a whole, not just one group of people.
At the end of the event, the floor was opened up to anyone in the crowd who wanted to voice their opinion on the mega phone. 31-year-old CJ Wenninger was one of the people who spoke. She stressed that she had a son who would be turning 10 years old soon and she could not imagine being separated from him. Wenninger also drove all the way from Jacksonville to support the cause. She wanted people in Orlando to know that there were people in Jacksonville who stood with Orlando. In her opinion, it is important to stand up for what she believes is right.
The protest in downtown Orlando was just one of many that happened in the nation on this day. Other states such as New York, California, and Texas participated as well.
McMillon claims to be satisfied with the turnout and feels there will be a change, considering that this was a nationwide rally. She encourages people who share a similar stance with the movement to go to https://www.familiesbelongtogether.org/ to sign a petition that will ultimately strengthen their existence in society. The co-host of the rally, Jessica Torrence, says this was just the start of bringing awareness, and they will be putting together more marches in the future.
