Interfaith Vigils Across Ohio
Planning a vigil? Download the toolkit. Watch Mustapha’s video.
Between May 23 and May 30, communities across Ohio are coming together for a statewide week of interfaith vigils in solidarity with people held in civil immigration detention (a.k.a. ICE jail). Faith leaders, organizers, and community members will raise their voices, hold space for reflection, and stand in collective action. This coordinated week of action calls for:
An end to ICE detention
Transparency on detention facility funding
An end to 287(g) agreements
Vigils may include interfaith prayers, brief speaking programs, and peaceful reflection with signs and candles. Attend a vigil near you, or organize one in your own area to be part of this statewide effort!
Below are details about local events. Email hotline@ohioimmigrant.org to add your vigil.
Seneca County Jail - May 23
4winds419 is hosting “Voices for the Detained: Ohio Interfaith Vigil – Seneca County” on Saturday, May 23, from 1-3pm. The vigil will take place at the SCAT grass across the street from the Seneca County Jail in Tiffin (3040 S. State Route 100). Participants are welcome to attend for the full two-hour window or as their schedules allow.
Ride share! If you can offer a ride, need a ride, or help coordinate routes to the vigil location, fill out this form. Want to volunteer in other ways? Fill out this form. Thank you.
Geauga County Jail - May 28
Like-Minded in Lake County is hosting a vigil at the Geauga County ICE jail on May 28th from 7-8:30PM. The vigil will include interfaith prayers, brief speaking programs, and opportunities for peaceful reflection with signs and candles. Your presence is vital as we stand in collective action for justice and compassion. Info and RSVP here.
Mahoning County Jail - May 28
Youngstown Area Interfaith Prayer Group will hold a prayer vigil at Mahoning County Jail on May 28th at 6pm as part of the statewide week of action. Bring signs against ICE in our jail, and for immigrants' rights to due process.
Butler County Jail - May 30
Please join Butler County Immigrant Justice, the Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio, and other community partners for a peaceful interfaith prayer vigil from 3-5pm on May 30. We will stand in solidarity with people held in ICE detention in the Butler County Jail and throughout the United States, with signs and candles. Find us on the sidewalk and public space outside the Butler County Jail (705 Hanover Street, Hamilton).
In addition to the core demands outlined above, we are calling for in-person/contact visitation for clergy seeking to care for ICE detainees in the Butler County Jail.
The Task Force on United Methodist Immigration Ministries of Ohio believes that we must welcome the stranger and treat migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants as our native-born citizens. E.g., Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 25:35. We oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize, or punish displaced individuals and families based on their immigration status. Additionally, we decry all immigration policies that separate families, undermine due process, detain noncitizens in for-profit detention centers, and diminish protections for asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants. See The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, ¶ 163(G).
Northeast Ohio Correctional Center - May 30
At 1pm, people of faith and interfaith clergy will gather outside the Core Civic ICE jail to pray for detained immigrants and guaranteed constitutional and human rights for all people. The group advocates for the rights of immigrants and to stop the abuses of the for-profit prison system and its ties to ICE.