Ohioans demand: ‘Stop the raids’

“Stop the Raids” was the theme of a march and speak-out held July 31 in Oberlin, Ohio, to protest the July 23 Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid of Casa Fiesta. Casa Fiesta operates Mexican restaurants in Youngstown and seven smaller towns west of Cleveland, including Oberlin.

Fifty-eight workers were arrested for alleged “administrative immigration violations.” Of the five Oberlin employees arrested, four have been deported to Mexico, while a fifth, a Honduran, remains in jail. The 58 arrests leave 11 spouses without a partner and 27 children without a parent. Prior to the raids Casa Fiesta was the subject of a year-long ICE spying operation.

Local residents and others from northeast Ohio came out to support the immigrants. As a gesture of solidarity with the arrested workers, the marchers took turns laying flowers by the restaurant entrance. Workers from a nearby restaurant came out and applauded the demonstration.

Student, religious and community leaders denounced the arrests at a speak-out in a town park. Activists discussed other ways to support immigrant rights, such as broadening the network of church sanctuaries and establishing sanctuary cities in Ohio.