As a contingent of East St. Louis clergy members and residents walked west toward the center of the Martin Luther King Bridge, they soon caught sight of hundreds of others approaching from St. Louis.
Herman Watson, pastor emeritus of Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, led the Illinois contingent on a sunny Monday, Feb. 16.
They joined fellow clergy and faith leaders from multiple traditions for the “Rally to Bridge Faith and Justice,” denouncing what speakers described as fear and deaths associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Many at the rally were specifically protesting enforcement policies implemented under the Trump administration, which critics say have increased detentions, deportations and family separations.
With the bridge closed to traffic, speakers emphasized the importance of speaking up in support of immigrant communities in the region and across the country.
The Rev. Duane Burch, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, urged clergy, church members and all Americans to stand tall against the disruption, discouragement and deaths being caused at the hands of ICE.
“We should not be afraid,” he said after his remarks were followed by loud applause.
“Unity is our strength. Together, we can make a difference.”
Rabbi Susan Talve, founding rabbi of the Central Reform Congregation, served as master of ceremonies for the rally which included prayer, spiritual songs, and impassioned pleas for the safety and health on behalf of immigrants.
“We need to address the violence, fear, and death. But we also must remember there is hope,” she said from the windswept podium above the Mississippi River.
“We all belong here and we must make sure we are all safe. None of us can be free unless all of us are free.”
Speaking at the beginning of the rally, the Rv. B.T. Rice, New Horizon 7th Day Church Christian Church pastor, said its location was more than just a venue.
“We must speak up and speak out against fear. We are here to say, enough is enough,’ as we stand on this symbolic bridge.”
Bishop Deon Johnson, 11th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri, echoed a line from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance likely directed at the Trump administration when he shouted, “we are still here.”
“We are going to be here. We will be here long after you are gone,” he said.
In a solemn memorial, the names, ages, and locations of deaths were read for people who died in ICE custody or were killed by ICE or federal agents. The list included Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Both were 37 and Minneapolis residents killed in their own city.
Talve praised speakers “for taking a big, bold step.”
U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell attended the rally and said he and fellow Democrats would continue opposing temporary government funding measures unless immigration enforcement policies are addressed.
“We are here not only for our fellow Americans but for every person who comes to this country and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” Bell said, noting he could be called back to Washington for a vote related to government funding.
Asked whether he would support a proposal that did not include ICE reforms, Bell replied, “Hell no.”
Talve said organizers were initially told holding the event on the bridge would be impossible.
“But we have truly bridged faith with justice,” she said.
Thank you Mr Reed for covering this event (which I attended) with so much detail.
I respect this approach to end ICE! Thank you for being clear that we are greatfully in this together, across the country & around the world!