Nonprofit organizers and experts spoke about the history of Latino communities and current immigration rights efforts at the Neighbors in Solidarity event on Tuesday.
The event was hosted by the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary and the Rotary Club of Evanston in partnership with Evanston Latinos. Speakers presented in both Spanish and English, with translation aides available for attendees.
“It’s great when you want to support, but learn,” said Ricardo Villalobos, executive director of Evanston Latinos. “Learn where we come from, learn what we need, learn what is needed to make sure that our community’s thriving, and then support the relationship.”
At the beginning of the event, community members snacked on aguas frescas and pan dulce as they read posters set up by Sanctuary Evanston that detailed ways to get involved with community efforts regarding immigrant rights. After each speaker presented, they participated in a panel and took questions from the audience.
Julie Dowling, a professor of sociology and Latin American and Latino studies at the University of Illinois Chicago, discussed the history of Latino immigration to the United States and the importance of remembering that historical context.
“Many people want to express support for our community as we’re facing the increased policing and violence,” Dowling said. “But a lot of the language sometimes people use, with all the best intentions, sometimes belies not understanding this history. ”
She said Latinos have historically experienced racial discrimination and violence, yet this is sometimes portrayed as a new phenomenon.
Villalobos highlighted the story of his family’s immigration to the U.S.
“We all have this shared experience, shared connections, shared story, and it’s so beautiful and powerful,” he said. “It’s also really, really scary because you get up every day and you’re paranoid and you’re scared, you’re overwhelmed at what’s going to happen.”
Cindy Castro, cultural and community liaison at the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, spoke about the negative mental health impacts of the immigration raids on Latino residents.
She emphasized the effect of the trauma caused by immigration enforcement activity on Oct. 31, when federal immigration agents made several arrests across Evanston and Skokie.
“When we hear (the whistles), our body gets activated now from that,” Castro said. “We are traumatized, even from the warning signs of immigration being here.”
Throughout the event, members of Sanctuary Evanston showcased their initiatives, including a free store, community fridges and a newly formed community singing group that performs at protests and community events.
While the speakers discussed the pain associated with the recent immigration raids, Castro ended on a message of hope.
“Together we are stronger, and together we will move mountains,” she said in Spanish.
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