Manni Guillen, whose family moved to Juneau from Mexico when he was a baby, speaks at the Love Knows No Borders rally in Juneau on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Guillen spoke about his experiences growing up in Juneau and working with the Border Angels nonprofit. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Manni Guillen, whose family moved to Juneau from Mexico when he was a baby, speaks at the Love Knows No Borders rally in Juneau on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018. Guillen spoke about his experiences growing up in Juneau and working with the Border Angels nonprofit. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Thanks to those who attended Saturday’s rally

Over 200 people gathered to support migrant rights.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, community organizers in partnership with the Juneau People for Peace and Justice held the Love Knows No Borders rally. Over 200 of our neighbors gathered to support migrant rights. The organizers extend grateful thanks to rally speakers Ernestine Hayes, Deacon Charles Rohrbacher, Gloria Orozco, Libby Bakalar, Joyce Levine, Christianne Carillo and Manuel Guillen for sharing their powerful words and stories. We also thank those who attended for their support, petition signing, letter writing and generous donations that amounted to over $1000 being donated to Border Angels.

Thank you to the Juneau Empire for your coverage of the event, before and after, and for livestreaming the rally.

We came together as a community in compassion, empathy and the acknowledgement that when people are vulnerable anywhere in the world, we are all vulnerable.

Thank you.

Patricia Turner Custard,

Juneau


• My Turns and Letters to the Editor represent the view of the author, not the view of the Juneau Empire.


More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

The White House in Washington, Jan. 28, 2025. A federal judge said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, that she intended to temporarily block the Trump administration from imposing a sweeping freeze on trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans, adding to the pushback against an effort by the White House’s Office and Management and Budget. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
My Turn: A plea for Alaska’s delegation to actively oppose political coup occurring in D.C.

An open letter to Alaska’s Congressional delegation: I am a 40-year resident… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about… Continue reading

Current facilities operated by the private nonprofit Gastineau Human Services Corp., which is seeking to add to its transitional housing in Juneau. (Gastineau Human Services Corp. photo)
Opinion: Housing shouldn’t be a political issue — it’s a human right

Alaska is facing a crisis — one that shouldn’t be up for… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: In the spirit of McKinley, a new name for Juneau

Here is a modest proposal for making Juneau great again. As we… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Protect the balance of democracy

We are a couple in our 70s with 45-plus years as residents… Continue reading

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I’m not at all impressed by President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Community affordability takes a back seat to Assembly spending

Less than four months ago, Juneau voters approved a $10 million bond… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Informing the Public?

The recent Los Angeles area firestorms have created their own media circus… Continue reading

Bins of old PFAS-containing firefighting foams are seen on Oct. 24, 2024, at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport fire department headquarters. The PFAS foams are due to be removed and sent to a treatment facility. The airport, like all other state-operated airports, is to switch to non-PFAS firefighting foams by the start of 2025, under a new state law. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
Opinion: A change for safer attire: PFAS Alternatives Act 2023

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are man-made synthetic chemicals… Continue reading

Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)
Opinion: Karen Pence’s silent act of conscience

Last week at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President-elect Donald Trump and former President… Continue reading

The Douglas Island Pink and Chum Inc hatchery. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Fisheries Proposal 156 jeopardizes Juneau sport fishing and salmon

The Board of Fisheries will meet in Ketchikan Jan. 28–Feb. 9 to… Continue reading