MISSOULA – Nearly a dozen Missoula clergy and activists braved the snow to hold a “No Hate, No Wall” vigil in downtown Missoula on Wednesday.
The event – which was sponsored by Montanans for Immigrant Justice, the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center and Missoula Rises — called on state and federal policy makers to enact a just immigration policy, and not President Trump’s border wall request.
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The vigil comes during the same week that a bi-partisan conference committee is working toward a budget solution to avoid a second government shutdown in the last two months.
Those who attended the event ripped a paper border wall as a show of support of welcoming immigrants. Clergy members in attendance said that it’s time for the hate to end.
“Building a wall and separating any families really is an act of hate, and we want to come out really strongly saying that those aren’t the kind of neighbors we want to be,” said Laura Folkwein of Montanans for Immigrant justice.
“Nothing in our faith tradition says this is okay. In fact, faith traditions the world ever advocate for welcoming strangers and helping immigrants,” she added.
Folkwein told those in attendance that even though the gathering was small, they can make a difference.
-Russ Thomas reporting for MTN News
