On Saturday, June 30 at 11 a.m., residents of Asbury Park, and surrounding areas will gather at Springwood Park to protest the federal policy of forcibly separating children from their parents and demand that separated families immediately be reunited.
The non-partisan event was spear-headed by the Asbury Park law firm of Hunnell and Breitowich and is being organized by concerned members of the Asbury Park community, including members of the Asbury Park Women’s March, Asbury Park Women’s Convention, Kivvit, Garden State Equality, and others.
The organizers stress that the Springwood Park rally will be heavy on personal stories, with most speakers being men, women, and children who have been directly affected by these policies, as well as politicians, entertainers, and community leaders.
The event will leave attendees with plans of action from immigration and policy experts, so the question of “How Can I Help?” will be answered.
In a joint statement, organizers Stephanie Hunnell and Sylvia Breitowich said, “We can no longer just stand by and hope that things get better. Now is a time for action, by making our voices heard not just through voting, but also through protest. It is inhumane how these children have been treated, and the president’s executive order did nothing to address it.”
Representatives from the Women’s March Asbury Park, Dani Fiori and Amanda Kane, added, “The core of the United States is our love of our country, family, and equality. It is from the core of these values that we ask you to join us to send a message of unity, love, acceptance, and basic human dignity for the preservation of families.”
Jess Alaimo, comedian and founder of the Asbury Park Women’s Convention, said, “So often in history there are pivotal moments where we can either let injustice occur, or we can choose to step up and change the course of this country for the better. This is one of those times where we need to show our presence. We need to show that Americans will not stand for this.”
The rally will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.. The occasion will be a peaceful, positive, and productive joining of the Asbury Park community.
For RSVP, volunteer, and sponsorship information, please visit: FamiliesBelongTogetherAP.
