About two dozen people took part in an event organized by Inland Congregations United For Change (ICUC), an interfaith community organizing group that counts many Catholic parishes in the Diocese among its membership. Also coordinating the event was Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and United Long Term Care Workers (ULTCW). Another May Day event, spearheaded by the Justice for Immigrants Coalition of Inland Southern California, was held in Murrieta, which became ground zero for the debate over immigration policy last summer when federal authorities attempted to bring a busload of Central American refugees there. The Diocese is a member of that JFI Coalition.
The San Bernardino event began at St. Bernardine Church in downtown San Bernardino and ended at San Bernardino City Hall. Father Zbigniew Fraszczak, administrator of St. Anthony Church, San Bernardino led a prayer service at the beginning of the march. Father Leonard De Pasquale spoke at the rally in front of City Hall.
“Don’t lose hope,” Fr. De Pasquale told the crowd. “We as faith leaders support comprehensive immigration reform.”
Fr. De Pasquale’s remarks echoed the position of the U.S. Bishops that comprehensive reform of federal immigration law is badly needed. In the meantime, the Church has voiced support for President Barack Obama’s executive actions aimed at keeping families of mixed immigration status together. This includes an extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the proposed Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program.
The executive actions on immigration are currently blocked by a federal court injunction. Still, the Diocese has offered several informational workshops this year in the event that DACA and DAPA go into effect.
The other key issue addressed at the San Bernardino May Day event was the need for a living wage for working families. On a recent advocacy trip to Sacramento, local Catholics lobbied in favor of State Senate Bill 3, which would increase the minimum wage in California to $11 per hour beginning in 2016 and $13 per hour in July 2017.