African-American churches in the East Bay give immigrants voice

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Mercury News

Updated: 09/07/2009

Latino immigrant workers took to the pulpits of African-American churches in the East Bay on Sunday morning and sought to gain allies in the fight to overhaul America's immigration system.

"I hope that my presence here helps you see me as a friend," said Rolando Rodriguez, speaking with the help of an interpreter before a receptive and boisterous crowd at the Bay Area Christian Connection, a church in downtown Oakland.

The 46-year-old described how after a long career in Guatemala's sugar cane fields, he was forced to flee political persecution in his native town and now struggles to find odd jobs on the streets of East Oakland.

Cautioning against seeing Rodriguez as unwanted job competition or a source of feared cultural change in their Oakland neighborhoods, the Rev. Brian Woodson implored his congregants to get to know a neighbor.



Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13283029?source=most_emailed

[Brother Buzz]

1. The man behind the curtain isn't happy

His job is much easier when there is strife between the masses

[zonkers]

2. A stranger is just a friend I haven't met yet.... Will Rogers (as if you didn't know)

[Number23]

3. love this. Hope it spreads