Read Them Free - 12 hour Vigil recap
Centro (SWU) alongside our partners Los Mentirosos and SA Stands successfully led 2.5 hours of live programing for the Read Them Home 12 hour vigil. We focused on uplifting local stories from advocates who work directly with families in Dilley Detention Center, and reading books that empower our community to stand up in the face of injustice.
List of Books & Poems:
Together by Innosanto Nagara read by Alejandra Lopez
A is for Activism by Innosanto Nagara and Translated by Marth Gonzalez read by Juany and Tio Nacho
“Sacred and Good” by Carmen Tafolla - Laura Molinar and Isabel Z. will read a poem
Esteban de Luna, Baby Rescuer by Larissa M. Mercado-López read by Nacho Marx and Tia Chicharra
“Musalay’s Gift” read by Myra / AAPIs for Justice
We’d like to thank Innosanto Nagara, AK Press and Seven Stories Press for allowing us to read these powerful books that bring so many people joy.
The event was live - we are unsure if any of the vigil was recorded.
More about the Event:
The April 2nd online vigil will kicked off a broader 30-day virtual reading challenge, inviting parents, children, librarians, childcare workers, educators, community leaders and other supporters to read their favorite children’s books and share direct messages to the families — including young children — being indefinitely held in the South Texas Family Residential Center (better known as the Dilley ICE Detention Center). They are lifting up a clear demand: end family detention.
The vigil focused public attention on the human toll of the detention of immigrant families, while building momentum for nationwide action in the weeks ahead. We invite people across the country to meet this moment and join our movement to uplift the humanity and dignity of these families — where children are not allowed to be children — and to call for decisive action from politicians to end family detention for good.
