Rally For ICE-Detained Bagel Manager Now A 'General Coming Together': Organizer

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — In the weeks since Port Washington resident and bagel store manager Fernando Mejia was detained by ICE agents, the community has regularly gathered to make a difference.

But, the Friends of Fernando group has changed its named to Port Washington Allies as they find a larger purpose with their weekly Monday evening rallies.

"It's like a meeting of Jazz musicians," organizer Jeff Siegel told Patch. "Nothing was scripted. It's only 30 minutes."

A selection of community leaders speak and songs are chanted by the dozens in attendance.

While the rallies started in opposition to the detainment of Mejia, a favorite son of Port Washington for many years at the Shmear Bagel and Cafe, it has turned into a "general coming together," Siegel said.

An ICE spokesperson said last month: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encountered Fernando Alberto Mejia-Flores, a Salvadorian national, during a daily routine law enforcement action in the vicinity of Port Washington, New York, June 12. Mejia-Flores was identified as a fugitive alien with a Final Order of Removal. ICE arrested him and transported him to an ICE processing facility in Central Islip, New York."

A GoFundMe page has received more than $34,000 in donations to help Mejia's family.

However, Siegel said people aren't necessarily protesting immigration issues. Human rights, dignity and justice are also listed among the group's concerns in its release. Additionally, the platform was also an opportunity to bring to light about neighbors in need for food and clothing, as pointed out by Sister Kathy Somerville of Our Lady of Fatima.

Even though each rally is only a half hour, Siegel said people haven't been so quick to leave the LIRR station in Port Washington.

"A lot of people were talking to each other and they just stayed," he said. "That's really what we want."[They have] common issues, common concerns."