Julia Williams
Julia Williams
Editor-in-Chief
“No hate, no fear: Immigrants are welcome here,” was just one phrase chanted from the steps of the Kansas City Convention Center (301 W. 13th St.) on Monday afternoon, June 14 as people traveled across the country for The United Church of Christ’s 35th annual General Synod convention and its “No ICE Raids” protest and prayer service.
The United Church of Christ — a predominantly Christian faith organization focused on unity, equality and justice for all, according to its website — is country-wide including its chapter in Kansas City, Mo. Its “General Synod” is a biennial gathering of the United Church of Christ chapters from across the country at a select location. Traditionally encompassing workshops, keynote speakers and resolutions, this year additionally included a No ICE Raids Prayer Service and Rally.
Open to the public, this rally invited Kansas City immigration empowerment organization Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation (AIRR) to attend Monday’s protest and to share a few words with assemblers.
“We’re here, and we will not be going anywhere,” AIRR Executive Director Karla Juarez said in a speech on Monday, in reference to immigration advocacy. “When ICE shows up in the community, so do we.”
This rally served to address U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid detentions — which began in January 2025 following Executive Order 14159 from the Federal Government — and to bring a community around this political landscape. In six months, ICE has detained over 57,000 individuals across the U.S., according to data from TRAC (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse) at Syracuse University. While a direct number of how many arrests have occurred across Kansas City is currently unknown, Juarez shared on Monday that recently, the City has not had any arrests or detainments.
Kansas City, Juarez shared, is a city, which she feels is often overlooked in reference to ICE activity, but that this nationwide enforcement has had an impact on many who live within 816 and 913 area codes.
Among Rally participants on Monday afternoon included Orange County, Calif., Resident and Irvine United Congregational Church Pastor, Sarah Halverson-Cano.
Halverson-Cano shared that she traveled to Kansas City for the General Synod conference, but that she attended the protest because she believes the federal government is taking action against the foundation of her faith and the United Church of Christ.
“We are called to love our neighbors,” she said in an interview, Monday. “It’s disappointing, families are being torn apart.”
Some rally attendees could be seen wearing yellow stickers, which Halverson-Cano shared, had indicated were delegates who had voted on a national resolution — prompted by the United Church of Christ — either for the opposition of federal action and ICE Agents and support of immigrants country-wide or against this resolution.
This resolution, which passed on Tuesday, July 15, called for an increase in Immigration advocacy and permanent offices for Immigrant rights as well as federal and state protection and enforcement. The resolution additionally asked the government to repeal its current ICE policies, which have impacted communities and immigrants nationwide.
“I’m really happy to see that people came out,” Halverson-Cano said. “The presence demonstrates that they care; there’s community here, together.”
While ralliers made their way Downtown on Monday from all over the country — including Hawaii and New York — Halverson-Cano shared that a main goal from the day is for attendees to go back to their homes and stand with the immigrants in their area.
Senior Pastor and Teacher Hugo Morrison from Norfolk, Va., also made his way to the Kansas City Convention Center Monday afternoon.
As an indigenous and African American, Morrison shared that he was a stranger once and was treated with some of the similar harsh realities that immigrants, migrants and refugees are experiencing. He emphasized the importance of community work and how his experiences have helped him to advocate and assist other people.
“It’s because love knows no borders,” he said in an interview, Monday. “Offering the same protection and extending to those akin to me in times like these is important.”
Juarez went on to share AIRR’s connection with the United Church of Christ and how the organization’s missions work to impact local communities — including the Northeast. As AIRR’s founders were tied to the faith community — from clergy members to pastors — she said faith is an aspect, which remains at the root of AIRR’s mission and organization.
“You are not alone; we are here,” Juarez said in reference to what she would like the Northeast Immigrant community to know. “There are hateful voices, but there are more loving voices.”
Beyond this rally, AIRR offers its services to those in search of advocacy, assistance and community. The organization hosts a virtual, monthly “Know Your Rights” meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month, among other events.
This organization will additionally host a virtual accompaniment training session from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 25. Registration is required to attend this session. To register, visit: https://secure.everyaction.com/LIlLzVE9SU-LG_eBMl2vnw2?fbclid=IwY2xjawLjtAFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjOUU0eHlMWnpXS0E0eTROAR6_9l8ufMBgkCJYAlAA9nEiYXZZzjIHYMv7mZWLns128X3EXZUk9wPWRqiQVQ_aem_S3moBnjCVWAw3gISeiBCpA.
For additional information on AIRR or the United Church of Christ and its Kansas City chapter, visit: https://airrkc.org/ ; https://www.kcucc.org/.
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