Anti-Racism Prayer Walk Aims To Bring Latinos 'Out Of Hiding'

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — St. Paul Catholic Church and Comunidad En Acción De Illinois will hold the annual prayer walk Friday on The Hill in Chicago Heights.

This year's theme is "Marcha Por La Vida/March for Life."

"We are standing up to say 'No to Racism' and to stand with El Paso and Mississippi," said Lorena Varela, executive director of Comunidad En Acción.

"I believe this is very significant for our community because they are standing up in the midst of everything that is happening to them and around them. As you know, we have a large Latino population out here, and most would just want to stay quiet and hide in the shadows. St. Paul Church and CEA are asking them to come out and not to hide but come and show that we are united and will not stand for the racism and violence."

The St. Paul parish has been conducting prayer walks events around "The Hill" area in the 2nd ward of Chicago Height for several years. CEA has joined them for the past two years.

The prayer walk will be held Fri., Aug. 23, at 206 East 25th Street in Chicago Heights. Gathering begins at 6 p.m., and the march steps off at 6:30 p.m.

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