On Sunday evening, November 7th, we took part in the Interreligious Task Force on Central America’s (IRTF) annual Commemoration of the Martyrs/Celebration of Human Rights Defenders across the Americas.
Presented virtually, the event was co-sponsored by [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″], and contained testimonials regarding the wonderful work the IRTF has conducted over the years and reports/interviews about human/environmental rights abuses in Central America, as well as music and prayers.
As the program notes stated, included in the mission of the IRTF is “organizing for humane and welcoming immigration policies that promote family re-unification and recognize the right to seek political asylum.”
The Sunday event was synchronized by Ms. Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez, IRTF Co-Coordinator, and important contributions were made by activists involved with the IRTF such as Mr. Marc Alvarado, Ms. Pearl Chen, Mr. Brian Stefan-Szittai, Ms. Rachel DeGolia, and Ms. Melaak Rashid (i.e. whose parents immigrated to the United States from Palestine and Venezuela) to name but a few.
Indeed, the speaker line-up was quite impressive and featured among them were Ms. Karen Spring from the Honduras Solidarity Network; Mr. Reynaldo Dominguez Ramos from the Environmental Committee of the Community of Guapinol (also in Honduras) ; and Ms. Melekte Melaku from the ACLU who is heavily involved in Ohio Bail Reform efforts.
