Essential Estrogen

In Cedar Rapids Thursday night, parishioners and other interested parties gathered at Immaculate Conception on 3rd Avenue to respond to the May 12 immigration raids on Agriprocessors in Postville and the impact now being felt by other communities.

The video clip below is dark because it was shot during the candlelight vigil (held inside the church due to possible inclement weather) when only the candles, light through the stained glass windows and the pulpit light illuminated the scene. The prayer is first spoken in English and then repeated in Spanish. The audience responds at various points throughout.

According to the program, there were three prayer goals:

1. "We pray... immigrants know we care and that they are not alone.
2. "We pray... the country's legislators address immigration reform.
3. "We pray... for those who enforce the law."

I'm working on a formal write up from the event and will have it posted shortly.