Fourth of July protesters line streets over Trump immigration policies
While thousands on Delmarva spent their Fourth of July with family and friends, at the beach or by the grill. These folks were out on the streets of Rehoboth utilizing their right to protest.
Standing up against why they say are the unfair government policies that have split hundreds of families seeking safe haven from their home countries.
"Every human being has the right to enter a country seeking asylum. And the only way you can seek asylum is to actually physically go to the country," said Joanne Cabry, chair of Sussex Progressives, and organizer of the event.
Protesters hope events like this will add pressure to reunite families that were separated as part of a Trump administration policy has since been overturned.
But they also hope to change policies to help free those detained by ICE officials.
As of now, there are about a thousand asylum seekers at five ICE offices with no timeline for a release.
"We think that there has got to be a better way to handle asylum seekers which many of these people are without forced incarceration," said co-organizer Don Peterson.
Protesters came out with dozens of signs with different messages, from end family detention now, to free the childrenk to one that says seeking asylum is not a crime.
"We want to stand here in a public spot reminding people that right now as we're celebrating the Fourth of July there are little kids in internments, or in detention centers," said Cabry.
When asked if this topic puts a damper on their patriotism on the holiday, protesters were quick to point out that their right to speak out and hold demonstrations is what makes this nation great.
"What we're doing here today is legal thanks to them. I'm standing on public ground protesting an Inhumane policy of my government," said Cabry.
"The fact that we can be out here and do that and protest is what Independence Day and the Fourth of July is all about," said Peterson.
Organizers tell us while there are no future rallies scheduled as of now, but they do say they plan to hold more in the future until their goals are met
