Activists planted 179 small white crosses in the New Haven Green on Friday afternoon, representing the number of people found dead in the desert in one year, crossing the border from Mexico.
The planting was part of a Good Friday demonstration on the Green organized by Unidad Latina en Accion and Seminarians for a Democratic Society (SDS). Organizers drew a parallel between the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus 2,000 years ago, and the modern day plight of immigrants in the United States.
Gregory Williams (pictured), one of the Yale Divinity School students who founded SDS, said the event was designed to help create a sustained campaign for immigration reform with communities of faith.
Seven New Haven pastors spoke to a crowd of several dozen people. Each took as a theme one of the seven last sayings of Jesus.
Pastor Scott Marks kicked things off by connecting the modern day quest for immigration reform to the challenges faced by African Americans. “I’m not an immigrant. I was forced to come here, in chains, in the bottom of a ship!” Marks said.
Rev. John Gage of the United Church on the Green said the United States should be a country that values all families, not just “documented families,” Gage said.
Tina Colon Williams sang between sermons.
Father Eddie de Leon hailed the new pope’s recent washing of the feet of a female Muslim prisoner.
“We the immigrants have been forgotten by all governments through the past 20 years,” said Pastor Manuel Romero.
People held crosses as they listened.
Each of the 179 crosses has the date the body was found and the name of the person, if known.
After seven pastors spoke, activists pounded the crosses into the ground.
The crosses are planted in the form of a cross, facing the U.S. District Court building. Williams said they will remain on the Green until Sunday.
How dare you compare the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the sins of humankind to illegals dying trying to enter the United State illegally. Most of the Yalies and locals present probably ignore Jesus and his message the rest of the year but dig him up when convenient to their latest cause. There is no holiness in illegals crossing borders. While I deplore the treatment of innocent people, I do not compare it to Jesus. You do not help your cause.