Tomorrow is the day when we will learn whether our elected representatives have been successful in averting Roxroy’s deportation scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18th. Since Roxroy received his order to appear for deportation just 10 days ago, I’ve had a ball of fear in the pit of my stomach while anger and prayer vie for supremacy. It seems unbelievable to me that such a loving husband, father and grandfather, could be separated from his children in 2 days. This past week Roxroy and his supporters have fought to get meetings with congressional representatives and senators in a desperate attempt to head off his deportation. I could not attend any of the delegations because of my daughter’s pregnancy, and so have mostly waited and prayed and talked with those presenting Roxroy’s case. Tomorrow we will know . . . I repeat over and over: “I lift my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth . . . The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore.” May God be with you, Roxroy. We love you.
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RoxRoy Salmon is a Brooklyn father and community activist resisting deportation so that he can remain with his US citizen family. Earlier this week, on 8/18, Roxroy Salmon was scheduled to turn himself in to Immigration and Customs Enforcement at 26 Federal Plaza. Members of First Presbyterian Church in the City of New York, Families for Freedom, and the NY New Sanctuary Coalition stood in vigil outside the federal building. We did not see Roxroy enter the building and can only assume that he made the deeply personal decision to not show up. Even in the face of this, our work in the movement for immigrant justice in the United States forges ahead. Over the past two years Roxroy’s Defense Committee built a campaign to try and help keep his family together by working to stop his deportation. Our efforts included gathering petition signatures, holding vigils, writing letters and garnering the support of many clergy and community leaders. As we held vigil again on 8/19 to reflect and heal, we reaffirmed our guiding principles that dividing families is immoral and unjust and we will continue onwards in the fight for immigrant rights.
At least one individual or organization fasted each day from March 8 to July 7, 2009 as RoxRoy fought to avoid a deportation order. Scroll down this page to contribute, or to read reflections from other fasters.
If you want to see latest press coverage, background on RoxRoy’s case, or how to get involved, you’ve come to the right place. This blog is maintained by RoxRoy’s Defense Committee, an ad-hoc gathering of representatives from the New Sanctuary Coalition, First Presbyterian Church and Families for Freedom in New York City.
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