Olathe vigil calls for changes to Trump administration’s immigration policies
OLATHE, Kan. —
People gathered in downtown Olathe on Thursday to show support for the local immigrant community and call for changes to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
The vigil, organized by Boots on the Ground Midwest, was held at Johnson County Square near Santa Fe Street and Kansas Avenue.
Organizers said the event was intended to support immigrants in the community while speaking out against recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.
“My message is to treat your neighbors like neighbors,” said Komalereet Kaur, an advocate. “It’s an easy concept that somehow we’ve made really complicated over the past few years through politics, polarization, and so while all of that is an important part to society, I don’t know at what point it was lost upon us that our neighbors aren’t our neighbors and that we shouldn’t be treating our humans as humans.”
In addition to vigils, Boots on the Ground Midwest also hosts “Know Your Rights” training sessions and other community events aimed at educating immigrants about their legal rights.