August 18, 2008
Communities of faith rally behind arrested workers
Carol Motsinger
Citizen Times, Asheville, NC
ASHEVILLE - Inocencia Chacon sang hymns with a strong, proud voice in the sanctuary of First Congregational United Church of Christ on Sunday afternoon.
But her voice cracked and wavered when she shared the plight of a good friend from Honduras who faces deportation after being arrested during an illegal immigrant raid Tuesday at Mills Manufacturing Corp.
"They were not criminals," she said during a vigil for those affected by the raid. "They deserve a chance to have a better life."
An estimated 300 people packed the pews of the church to show support and express concern for the 57 workers arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"The faith community felt we needed a voice of comfort and healing for the people who were affected by the raid," said Tyrone Greenlee, who read a poem during the vigil. Several congregations with ties to the area's Hispanic community participated in the service held in the church on Oak Street.
Some wiped away tears during the hymns of hope and prayers asking for strength. Chacon cried as she spoke about her friend, whom she said has two small children and a husband in Honduras who threatened to kill her if she returned.
"The question is now, what is she going to do?" Chacon said.
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808180301
