Community and religious leaders in Pennsylvania come together in a interfaith vigil, expressing solidarity and support for immigrants.
In the heart of a community directly impacted by recent immigration enforcement, an Interfaith Procession and Vigil took place on Sunday, September 14. Organised by the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the event aimed to demonstrate unity of communities of faith against fear, discrimination, and deportation.
The procession made six stops, including the Montgomery County Courthouse, transforming public spaces into sites of remembrance. Participants carried signs and banners with Scripture, poetry, and spiritual teachings, bearing messages of compassion, justice, and protection for immigrants and those affected by discriminatory policies.
At each location, participants paused for prayer and recited the names of individuals detained or deported from the county. The event culminated in a candlelight prayer vigil, serving as a visible and vocal reminder of the shared dedication to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.
Toneh Smyth, the canon for mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, was present at the gathering. A community networking reception followed, offering space for reflection, unity, and a renewed commitment to justice.
The interfaith gathering was a response to heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the region. It brought together clergy, congregants, activists, and community members from across Montgomery County and beyond, reaffirming their collective stand against fear and discrimination.
