Yuma community members hold vigil honoring lives lost in ICE-related cases
Adrik Vargas
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Community members gathered outside the Mexican Consulate in Yuma Wednesday evening for a vigil honoring people who have died in incidents involving ICE, or while in ICE custody.
The event included moments of silence, candle lighting, and speakers sharing why they felt it was important to remember the lives being honored.
Organizers said the vigil came together after they learned of another death involving ICE just days after they began planning the event.
“It’s so unfortunate that within that short time frame that happened again. So not only are we going to be honoring Lorenzo tonight, we’re also going to be honoring Joann Bastian and countless others,” Aquino said.
Speakers at the vigil said they hoped the gathering would help bring attention to the stories and experiences of people impacted by ICE operations.
“There’s someone’s father. There’s someone’s sister. You know, it’s someone you know that has a life, that has a family. We cannot be so inhumane,” said Bryan De La Hoya, a San Luis resident who spoke at the vigil.
Organizers said they hope events like this continue conversations within the Yuma community about the people being remembered and ICE operations.