By Victoria Martinez
reporter@santaynezvalleystar.com
About 50 people participated in a Rally to Reunite the Children on Sunday, July 8, in Solvang Park
Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Pastor Chris Brown from Bethania Lutheran Church, Wendy Motta from the office of Congressman Salud Carbajal, and event organizer Malia Mauer all spoke during the rally.
“This is outrageous,” Hartmann declared, adding that the acts of the Trump administration “shocked the conscience.”
Local residents organized the rally after changes in federal immigration policies called for prosecution of people entering the United States illegally, including those with children. President Trump has since signed an Executive Order to keep parents and kids in detention together while their cases go through the courts. The situation continues to be at the forefront of immigration conversations across the country.
“This is an excellent time to be engaged in this situation: when the government is actually listening,” Mauer said before the rally. “We know all too well that government promises are often not fulfilled and we, as concerned citizens, are here to demand that our administration follow through with this issue with efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.”
