NATIONWIDE BUS TOUR
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
For three days, from March 8 to 10, “Fast for Families Across America” joined interfaith leaders and impacted community members in Salt Lake City, Utah to discuss the next steps to opening the hearts of Utahan leadership.
The visit included an interfaith press conference in front of the Episcopal Church Center with Fast for Families leaders DJ Yoon and Rudy Lopez and a dynamic group of faith leaders including Bishop John C. Wester (Catholic Diocese), Rev. Eunsang Lee (First United Methodist and NAKASEC board member) and Rev. Yvonne Lee (Centenary United Methodist and NAKASECsupporter).
Rev. Seung Su Park a pastor of a Korean Methodist Church in Salt Lake City and his family provided musical support, accompanied by guitarist Jose Bonilla (Lutheran Social Service of Utah).
Photo after the press conference
PUEBLO, COLORADO
The day began with a host committee gathering in Pueblo, Colorado. Among the participants were two veterans who had served in the Vietnam War. They shared stories about their fight to stop the deportations of U.S. veterans and extended their support for fair immigration reform.
AURORA, COLORADO
DJ Yoon shared stories from the tour that had touched his heart and motivated him to continue the Wednesday fasts and speak with lawmakers about the importance of putting an end to the struggles of immigrant families and communities. One powerful story is Javier Gallegos Rosales.
Javier, who came to the U.S. when he was nine years old with his 11 brothers and sisters, is one individual that the Colorado community is trying to protect from family separation. If it were not for a traffic violation, Javier would be eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) but is now fighting deportation proceedings. All Javier wants is to contribute to his country and support his family and his community.
JR Kuo, a representative from the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, reminded Aurora that immigration is an American issue, not only a Latino issue. All immigrants, including Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, should be able to pursue their dreams and live without fear. Family separation does just the opposite.
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Inhe Choi from NAKASEC participated in the Fast for Families activities on Wednesday, March 5 in Corpus Christi, Texas. She met Professor Michael Jin, an assistant professor of History at Texas A&M University, who spoke about the history of discriminatory immigration policies in the U.S. and its impact on multiracial communities. Corpus Christi is one of the eight Texas stops, including Arlington, Houston and Plano.
