Utah Faith Leaders Welcome Fast for Families

Last month Fast for Families, a coalition of faith, immigrant, labor and civil rights advocates, began a bus tour across America to reach more than 75 congressional districts. The express goal is "commonsense immigration reform with a path to citizenship." The campaign will reach Washington, D.C. on April 9 and call for change that comports with shared values, creeds and belief in justice.

On March 8, the Fast for Families bus tour stopped at the Episcopal Church in downtown Salt Lake City for an event with Utah faith leaders long involved as proponents of immigration reform and policies that respect the integrity of families and basic human dignity. Speakers included Catholic Bishop John Wester, Reverend Steve Klemz of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, State Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck, Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) and Rudy Lopez of the Center for Community Change.

Bishop Wester and others waited to greet the Fast for Families bus.

Bishop Wester spoke about a recent meeting at the University of Notre Dame. There, he and others took a sober look at immigration reform. They drew hope from the effort of Fast for Families to center the conversation on the plight of human beings. Wester recited a quote in Spanish: "Si soñamos solos, sólo soñamos. Si soñamos juntos, hacemos historia." "If we dream alone we are only dreaming. If we dream together, we are making history."

Dae Joong Yoon, executive director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), delivered a passionate message: "We are all God's children. When we are here for the family, we are all together." Together we can do what is needed to bring about immigration reform.

Rudy Lopez of the Center for Community Change has been traveling on the bus. He spoke about the challenges facing Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio): "Our biggest obstacle is not politics. Our biggest obstacle is fear." Boehner has spoken about a step-by-step approach. Lopez had these words: "Every step-by-step approach begins with the first step. Speaker Boehner, take the first step."

Rev. Steve Klemz of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church has long advocated for immigration reform that respects the family and basic human dignity. He delivered a spiritual message: "God's tears call us all as sisters and brothers, as children of God." Klemz also had words for other faith leaders: "We pray for peace. We pray for justice. Let's spread the story. Let's spread the word."

On Monday, March 10, Fast for Families will visit Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) to urge him to support just, compassionate immigration reform that keeps families together and respects basic human dignity. Rudy Lopez explained one reason for the bus tour in English and Spanish. "Los congresistas prestan atención a lo que ocurre en sus distritos." "Members of Congress pay attention to what happens in their districts."

And thus Fast for Families passes through Utah. May Utah faith leaders and others make this another step toward compassionate immigration reform.