‘You Are Welcome Here’: Residents Rally For Immigrant Rights At Local Demonstration

FREEHOLD, NJ — Residents of Monmouth and Ocean Counties recently came together in Freehold to join activists across the country for #DisappearedInAmerica, a national day of action led by a coalition of immigrant rights, faith, rule of law and pro-democracy organizations.

The national demonstrations took place on Thursday, June 26, and served as a national photo petition day, where people used photos of those who have been wrongfully detained, deported, or “disappeared” under the Trump Administration and put them on posters and social media, according to event organizers.

The Freehold demonstration, which took place at the Freehold Municipal Plaza, encouraged community solidarity with immigrants, and aimed to shine a light on people like Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Mahmoud Khalil and Andry Hernandez Romero, who have each faced detainment or deportation.

The gathering was hosted by the community group Next Shore Neighbors and saw about 30-35 attendees, according to Event Organizer Natasha Purdum.

During the two-hour demonstration, Purdum said attendees held signs, raised their voices in chants, poems and songs, and read stories of wrongfully detained or deported people.

A speaker from Casa Freehold (which aims to help immigrants who are new to the U.S.) also attended the event and shared what they were doing to help the local immigrant community.

“The energy and enthusiasm we saw from our attendees truly speaks to how enraged the public is in response to the Trump Administration's attack on immigrant communities,” Purdum said. “As long as our friends and neighbors live in terror, we will not be silenced.”

While not all cars that passed by the gathering were supportive, Purdum said attendees were encouraged by the thumbs up and waves they received.

According to Purdum, several people also pulled over to ask about the event or get more information, one of whom later sent “a heartfelt message, expressing gratitude for [participants’] willingness to stand up for the immigrant community.”

“To all of our neighbors, we want you to know that regardless of your documentation status (or lack thereof), the color of your skin, the language you speak, the god you worship, or your country of origin, you are welcome here” said Rachel Peace, a founding member of Next Shore Neighbors.

“Your Next Shore Neighbors will stand for you when your legs are weak. We will speak up for you when your voice is trembling or silenced. We will remind our neighbors that this is a nation of immigrants,” Peace continued. “250 years after its founding, America must live up to its iconic promise to welcome the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”

To learn more about Next Shore Neighbors, you can visit their Instagram page.

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