U.S. Rep. John B. Larson was among those who spoke at a rally at West Hartford Town Hall on Saturday in response to the children who have been separated from their families along the border with Mexico.
Congressman John Larson addresses the crowd at the Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Photos by Hunter Marotto
A crowd estimated at about 100 attended a rally in front of the steps of West Hartford Town Hall on Saturday, protesting policies that have led to the separation of immigrant families who have entered the United States seeking refuge and asylum.
Since early May, reportedly about 2,300 children have been separated from their parents. About 500 have been reunited since President Donald Trump issued an executive order late last week ending the practice.
U.S. Rep. John Larson, who represents West Hartford, was among those who spoke at the rally. Jonathan Harris, a former West Hartford mayor, state representative, state commissioner, and most recently a candidate for governor, emceed the rally.
Other speakers included UConn History and Asian-American Studies Professor Dr. Jason Oliver Chang, immigration attorney Jeffrey Chase, Hartford City Councilor Wildaliz Bermudez, Jonathan Gonzalez-Cruz from Connecticut Students for a Dream, Rev. Teran Loeppke, and Al Dornan of Wethersfield, who walks several miles every day in support of Dreamers.
Many attendees added their handprints to a “Hands for Humanity” banner, and carried posters requesting reunification of families and support for immigrants, as well as denouncing the Trump administration.
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Attendees at the rally put their handprints on a poster. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
A poster with handprints of many rally attendees hangs in front of Town Hall. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Jonathan Harris, a former mayor of West Hartford, state representative, commissioner, and gubernatorial candidate, addresses the crowd at Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Dr. Jason Oliver Chang, a professor of history and Asian-American Studies at UConn, speaks at the Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Congressman John Larson addresses the crowd. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Attendees at the rally included (from left): Town Council member Ben Wenograd, Jonathan Harris, State Rep. Andy Fleischmann, State Rep. Derek Slap, Michael Cantor, and Mayor Shari Cantor. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Immigration attorney Jeffrey Chase. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Jonathan Gonzalez-Cruz of Connecticut Students for a Dream. Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Rally for Humanity in West Hartford. June 23, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto