GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) â Nearly 100 people rallied in Grand Rapids Wednesday to push for reunification of immigrant families separated at the United States' southern border.
"I have two children myself and to imagine them being taken away from me, I canât handle it. Itâs not OK," protester Rachael Koeson said.
The rally, which was peaceful, took place across the street from Bethany Christian Services, which is helping house some of the separated children. Some signs carried by protesters urged Bethany Christian Services to end its contract with the government.
The Grand Rapids chapter of the NAACP hosted the event.
"We live in one of the most conservative Christian cities in probably in the state of Michigan," Cle Jackson, the president of the local NAACP, said, "and so as people of faith, we need to recognize that this issue is totally immoral.â
Many of the protesters were from West Michigan and some brought their own children, but the Detroit chapter of NAACP also bused in people to participate. Other protesters included people affiliated with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, UAW and religious and clergy groups from across the state.