Wanting to exert a more public form of pressure on immigration officials, Keep Tucson Together has launched a campaign to bring wider attention to the plight of sanctuary seeker Rosa Robles Loreto.
The mother of two, who has lived in Tucson since 1999, has been inside Southside Presbyterian Church since Aug. 7 of last year, when she entered the church after she was given a final order of deportation.
On Wednesday, dozens packed inside Southside to support the new campaign and reaffirm their dedication to Robles Loreto.
“We never thought that when she entered the doors of this kiva that she would be here six months later,” said Pastor Alison Harrington. “But we want to say to her that our commitment is as firm now as it was on that first day.”
The “We Stand with Rosa” campaign is designed to spread the word about Robles Loreto through social media. The group plans to hand out 10,000 lawn signs with a drawing of Robles Loreto and her family.
Supporters are asked to place the signs outside their home or business, pose with the sign and post a picture on Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #LetRosaStay, email the photo to WeStandWithRosa@gmail.com or tweet their pictures to @WeStandWithRosa.
“We’re going to blanket Tucson with these beautiful signs so that everyone will know this family, so that everyone will know the name of Rosa,” Harrington said.
Over the past six months, advocates and supporters have sent thousands of letters to President Obama, Department of Homeland Security officials and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson.
Robles Loreto has also received the support of Congressman Raúl Grijalva, the Tucson City Council, the Pima County Board of Supervisors and local clergy, including Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas.
Despite the show of support, the government has denied her petitions for a stay of removal.
Advocates said they hope the new campaign will engage a broader community and provide the push that officials need to grant Robles Loreto some form of relief.
“As we continue to hit quagmires in D.C., the best way to open that up is a show of leadership from our community,” said Sarah Launius with Keep Tucson Together. “It’s not going to be easy, but we have to do something.”
