Dan Spalding, NewsNow Warsaw
More than 90 people turned out in near 90-degree temperatures Saturday to defend the role of immigrants amid an ongoing federal crackdown on undocumented citizens by the Trump administration.
While the messages conveyed on many of the signs were once again diverse (subjects ranged from women’s rights to Trump’s authoritarian leanings), Saturday’s event — the latest in a series of rallies against Trump organized locally — the most recent was in support of immigrants who are watching as Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to detain and deport people across the country.
Unlike past Warsaw protests held this year, Saturday’s rally was organized by the Kosciusko County Democratic Party, many of whom wore blue shirts with the Spanish phrase “Tu Vecino Tu Voz,” on the back. Translated, it means, “Your neighbor, your voice.”
Organizers were glad the heat did not deter the enthusiasm.
“It’s a great turnout because we never know how many people are going to show up,” said Robert Osbun, treasurer for the county’s Democratic Party. “This is a rally by Kosciusko County Democrats to highlight immigrant families here in northern Indiana, so we’re really, really pleased with the turnout.”
The rally along North Detroit Street and east of the library took place at the same time as a massive festival — the Guadalupe festival — was happening less than two miles to the north, which celebrated Hispanic culture at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Osbun was asked about the simultaneous juxtaposition of two unrelated events and said, “Our event is to highlight their support and support them, and we hope they see that.”
Trump’s actions in the past week have upset Democrats in Indiana. Those include plans to open an immigrant detention center alongside Grissom Air Reserve Base north of Kokomo and call it the Speedway Slammer. Also this week, Trump’s administration began pressuring Indiana lawmakers to redraw congressional district lines — a move that coincides with similar efforts in Texas.
Brian Smith, a local Democrat who serves as chairman of the party’s 2nd Congressional District, summed up the party’s thoughts.
“Immigrants built our country. I’m a descendant of immigrants,” Smith said. “We have to realize and embrace that throughout our history, they have made our country great, and immigrants continue to make our country great.”
