‘We’ll Go To Jail For You’: Somerville Sanctuary City Rally

“We’ll go to jail for you. We’ll take the hits,” Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone told more than 4,000 people who came out in freezing temperatures this morning for the city’s “We Are One Somerville: Sanctuary City Rally” to support immigrants in the face of threats from President Donald Trump.

The Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band performed to kick off the rally at Somerville High School. Then Curtatone, immigrants attending Somerville High School, U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano (speaking of his Christian faith: “Mary and Joseph fled Egypt and that made them refugees”), a leader from the Welcome Project, and others spoke.

“The people of this country want a society that is diverse and tolerant,” Curtatone said at the end. He talked about how both his parents were immigrants and that his mother told him, “Fight hard, son. Make it easier for people to come here than I had it.” Finally, the mayor said, “We are never, ever going to run away from who we are.”

Disclosure: I have an ongoing relationship with the City of Somerville, as I work with the Somerville Arts Council to organize festivals there.

Photos copyright 2017 Greg Cook.