PRESS RELEASE Wednesday, September 10, 2014, CONTACTS: Maru Mora Villalpando (206) 251-6658 Jolinda Stephens (614) 915-4079 Following One Year of Detention and Further Delay from President Obama, More Waiting for Hunger Strike Leader’s Family Who Stopped Week’s Deportations Through Fast and Presence at NWDC Tacoma, WA -- On the eighth and final day of her hunger strike and planton outside the NW Detention Center, Veronica Noriega and 28 community activists packed the removal hearing of Ramon Mendoza Pascual, a hunger strike leader who protested inhumane detention center conditions and family separation during his 50+ day hunger strike last winter, while at least 10 more waited outside in the weeklong encampment. Mr. Mendoza Pascual’s hearing today was set to decide whether he would be granted asylum and allowed to remain in Washington State with his partner, Veronica Noriega, and three children, or whether he would be deported. Represented by attorney Sandy Restrepo, Mr. Mendoza Pascual gave his testimony over a four hour hearing that concluded in a new court date to continue his hearing on November 21st at 1pm. Ramon’s family and 28 community supporters, including 2 priests from the Catholic Worker House, and 3 Evangelical pastors attended the hearing -- supporters who have come to know him through his courageous protest and through organizing alongside his family to end all deportations through three seasons of rallies, marches, civil disobedience, and community demonstrations at the NW Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma. Yesterday marked exactly one year of detention for Mr. Mendoza Pascual. At a press conference held just after, his partner Veronica Noriega shared that her hopes that her partner would be granted asylum, cancellation of removal and freed yesterday were disappointed, however her family remains hopeful that Immigration Judge Odell will do the right thing and grant him a bond so he can be reunited with his family while he awaits his final hearing. Over her week of fasting, over 100 supporters and family members of people detained visited Ms. Noriega’s plantón, or encampment. Ms. Noriega stated she was very glad her 8 days of fasting and presence outside the NWDC resulted in no one being deported this week. During a week in which President Obama announced he would continue to delay executive action to halt the crisis of deportation separating over 1,100 families every day until after the November elections, Ms. Noriega, undocumented immigrant activists, family members of other detained immigrants, and non-immigrant supporters were able to immediately halt deportations for one week using only the peaceful protest of their physical presence. Mr. Mendoza Pascual’s family and supporters pledge to continue fighting until he is reunited with his family and all deportations and separation of families stop. A concrete plan to fight for Ramon’s freedom will be presented next week. This resistance by ordinary people putting their bodies on the line achieved what many elected leaders have refused to do. In coming weeks, the national #Not1More Deportation campaign will continue to escalate pressure for action from President Obama, who has the power to end the suffering caused by the inhumane detention and deportation system immediately. ###
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:24:42 +0000
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