Please pray for our immigrant neighbors being held at Delaney Hall in Newark and their families. On Friday several families held a press conference and rally to raise awareness about inhumane conditions including lack of access to medical care, due process, and inedible food. During the press conference they received a video call from inside announcing a hunger and labor strike. Delaney Hall is run by GEO Corporation under a $1 billion 15 year government contract. Yet detainees who clean and work in the facility receive $1 a day which they have to use to buy supplemental food, toiletries and to be able to call out to their families. More than 300 detainees are on the third day of their strike.

Community groups are organizing a 24 hour solidarity vigil in support throughout the holiday weekend. I have participated the last two nights and will return overnight Sunday. Please pray that the vigil remains peaceful and provides solace and inspiration to the strikers. They know we are there and have been blinking the lights and standing in the windows to let us know they hear us outside.

Yesterday Senator Andy Kim and Rep Rob Menendez visited and spoke with more than 100 detainees including an 18 year old woman who should be graduating from high school this week, a woman who miscarried while in detention, and pregnant women who are not receiving adequate prenatal care. The Congresspeople confirmed the inhumane conditions and are advocating for the detainees and families. Meanwhile we are hearing reports of intimidation of the strikers and their families.

Yesterday I was able to briefly join a video call of one of the wives as she spoke with her husband and other men in his unit. I promised prayers for their safety. They were grateful. I would be grateful if you would join me in prayer.

Also if you would like to support the detainees, they need money in their commissary accounts so they can stay in contact with the outside world and families.

https://givebutter.com/commissaryfund