Immigrant Lucio Perez has lived at First Congregational Church since for six months. Facing deportation, the Amherst-based church offered Perez sanctuary in October 2017. His wife, Dora Gonzalez, and Pioneer Valley Workers Center lead organizer Margaret Sawyer join host Veronica Garcia to discuss how the organization advocates for immigrant rights and rights for people of color.
PVWC has been instrumental in educating, equipping, and networking faith communities in the Valley so they can respond to the immediate needs of the local immigrant community. In addition to advocating for and assisting Mr. Perez, PVWC’s “Sanctuary in the Streets” program created a rapid response network committed to peaceful acts of resistance.
