Incredible turnout!

Over 300 people showed up today to join a silent walking meditation encircling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Building in Portland. There were no police, no counter-protesters. There was no violence, no cursing, no chanting. It was a silent river of people, some carrying signs, enough to completely encircle the building in a stream of compassion and witness. I wept for joy. It may not change the policy of the Federal government, but it certainly says--to all of us who participated, and to all who drove by as we were doing so--that these illegal, abusive, and violent policies of our government are not acceptable to us. If there were any people being detained inside the facility, they saw that they have the support of many, many citizens who want to abolish these policies. Many of us would like to see ICE abolished entirely.

A local photographer I very much admire is Beth Nakamura, photo editor for the Oregonian, our local newspaper. I was thrilled to see that she took the assignment to cover our event herself. Her photos express the heart of our event.