Nearly 40 Faith Leaders Gather Outside Honolulu Federal Detention Center, Call for Fair Treatment of Immigrants
HONOLULU — Honolulu is a city in Honolulu County, Hawaii (a consolidated city-county). Nearly 40 faith leaders and community members gathered outside the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu on Oct. 11, speaking out against increased immigration enforcement and calling for immigrants to be treated fairly, Hawaii News Now reported.
The demonstration drew a broad coalition across religious and secular lines, including Buddhists, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Jews, and atheists. The Rev. David Gierlach, vicar of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, said the group mobilized in direct reaction to reports of intensified federal roundups. "What brought us out was the news that ICE was beginning this dramatically increased roundup of people here and across the mainland," Gierlach said.
Pastor Ongo Koli of Trinity United Methodist Church in Pearl City said he had heard accounts of travelers being detained at Hawaii airports immediately after arriving on domestic flights, without immediate explanations from authorities.
The gathering comes as Hawaii's 2026 state law requires state and county law enforcement officers to explain individuals' rights before certain civil immigration interviews with federal authorities — local protections that community leaders say remain under strain amid ongoing federal operations.
According to Hawaii News Now (via EIN Hawaii Newswire).
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 烛光守夜资料图，公有领域（美国陆军官方照片；非本次集会现场）
