UCC Clergy participate in “Unshackle Springfield” solidarity action in Cleveland

As they did last month in Springfield, Ohio, on Thursday, September 9, United Church of Christ clergy and other UCC National Ministries staff members joined with those gathered on the steps of the Federal Building in Cleveland in protest of what’s happening to Haitian immigrants in Springfield. ICE has targeted Haitian immigrants in the city since the Supreme Court allowed for the Trump administration’s end to Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in recent weeks.

The event was organized by Pastor Troy Jackson of Undivided.us, a cohort for churches and other faith-based communities. Jackson said the message to unshackle the Haitian immigrants of Springfield was also delivered the day before in Cincinnati to the office of U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno. Signatures of more than 500 clergy members in Ohio were delivered to U.S. Senator Jon Husted’s office in Cleveland following prayers and chants of “ICE out now.”

“What is happening in Springfield has crossed a line,” said Jackson. “Ankle monitors are shackling the residents who are here legally. This is a humanitarian crisis. Look at what happened to Pierre,” he told those gathered.

Jackson was referring to the suicide of 20-year-old Pierre Damas Bel, a student from Haiti who was living in Springfield and graduated with honors who was shackled with an ankle monitor causing him distress and embarrassment, leading to his death, according to family members.

The pastor of Pilgrim Church UCC, Rev. George Graham, was at the protest and also spoke. “The United Church of Christ was built to welcome all, and what’s happening in Springfield must not continue,” Graham said. He outlined four asks that the group gathered has for the U.S. Senators. First, an end to the ankle monitoring program now. Second, a call for ICE to cease operations in Springfield. Third, permanent protected status for the Haitian community, as it is unsafe for them to return to Haiti. And lastly, the return of all detainees to the community now, including two Haitian pastors.

Jackson shared that a National Day of Action on the matter has been planned for Saturday, September 19.

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