WLOX-TV and WLOX.com - Building South Mississippi Together |Immigration Reform at the Flavor Of The Americas Festival
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By Krystal Allan - bio | email
BILOXI, MS (WLOX) - You could feel the rhythm and taste the flavors at this year's Sabor de las Americas (Flavors of the Americas) festival.
"It's our celebration in a way to bridge all the communities together to showcase the different cultures all over North America, Central, Aouth America," says Sally Bevill, El Pueblo, Director.
El Pueblo organizes the event during Hispanic Heritage month. But, this celebration went beyond the dancing, food and music. It was trying to send a message about immigration reform by taking part in a national effort called Tour of the Faithful.
"It's a national movement for people of faith to finally speak out about the isolation and injustice of our immigration system," says Bevill.
"Faith communities have been at the heart of struggles for civil rights and human rights for many years," says Jane Bearden, Church of the Redeemer.
El Pueblo's director says including the faith community in the discussion could make a positive difference as reform moves forward.
"Along the coast we are a people of faith. We have all different types of faith here, and we believe that God teaches us to be hospitable. And it, hospitality, should just be extended to everyone," says Bevill.
In 2006, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed a resolution that touched on the issue. Among other things, it included giving undocumented aliens reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency. It also encouraged the enforcement of national borders to be carried out in a proportional and humane manner.
Regardless of where people stand, religious leaders know there's no quick fix.
"I don't think anyone thinks it's an easy solution, but it is an issue that we need to address as a county," says Bearden.
"Together we can somehow unite to be a voice of justice and change," says Bevill.
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