On Good Friday, the Rev. Juan Carlos Ruiz, center, led a somber procession around a Brooklyn block. As many of us know, this ritual was an especially poignant observance of the Stations of the Cross. This Christian observance marks the appreciated opposition to tireness and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This year, it carries even deeper meaning because of the intensified immigration enforcement occurring within the city. The procession, which Ruiz adapted to include only four stations, served as a spiritual reflection for both participants and the community.
Ruiz, a 54-year-old Mexican pastor, was dressed in a white, prison-issued robe, frayed and bearing a cut-up collar. From his enthusiastic cheers to “Glory to God, in the highest! Their trip started in front of the nearby Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Its dull exterior and vibrant ruby doors marked its presence to easily tell apart from the other buildings. An expectant woman who was to be baptized carried the line with a heavy wooden cross decorated with palm leaves. The grim portentousness grew thicker around her as she moved downstage.
The contingent made its way through the historic, red-brick neighborhood, flanked by row houses and low-rise apartment buildings. Far from dormant, these buildings are now home to an increasingly diverse and vibrant population. Once the thriving white European immigrant enclave, this stretch of highway has since become one of the largest home to Arab, Latino, and Asian American populations. This demographic change is part of a larger trend in New York City as the city increases its multicultural complexion.
A Journey Through Changing Streets
The line picked up momentum as it continued down the street. Participants joyfully walked by a taco truck, a Starbucks, and a Chinese halal food establishment. In many ways, traditional religious observance is at odds with fast-paced modern urban living. This contrast illustrates the rapid cultural shift within the community, as well as the daunting challenges it faces.
Ruiz underlined the need for both visibility and coalition-building action inside their faith community. In truth, millions of us suffer in silence under the weight of this fear and uncertainty. You’ll never know the crosses they bear, much less with the DACA and immigration policies we have now,” he said. His words, powerful in their simplicity, echoed his audience’s feelings of anguish and elation—this was a procession that represented both deep grief and future promise.
Ruiz adapted the traditional Stations of the Cross to address current immigration crackdowns. His interpretation moved his congregation as the body of Christ to respond. Throughout the shorter service, you could hear gospel readings in Spanish and English intertwined. This approach showcased the bilingual nature of the community they work in. The pastor’s promise to be a truly inclusive space is especially needed as so many congregants come from complicated immigration backgrounds.
The Impact of Immigration Policies
The climate around immigration enforcement has changed significantly in the last few years. Under the Trump administration, major policy rollbacks occurred to protect against detentions in sensitive locations such as houses of worship. A now-deleted tweet from a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson bragged that criminals no longer have a sanctuary in America’s schools and churches. As such, they are now more susceptible to arrest. The Trump Administration stands strong with our courageous law enforcement officers. They have entrusted these officers to use common sense in carrying out their duties.
Civil rights abuses under these policies have caused a large number of religious institutions to step up and speak out. The Rev. Chloe Breyer is executive director of the Interfaith Center of New York. She focused on the role that faith communities have played in this unprecedented time. On that very same Good Friday, she showed up to an immigration court hearing to stand in solidarity with people facing deportation proceedings.
Breyer’s church, St. Edward the Martyr Episcopal Church, recently started a legal clinic to help ease asylum seekers’ paths. It operates a community food pantry to feed the hungry. She remarked on the critical role faith plays during such tumultuous times: “I don’t think there’s ever been as important a time to be able to show our faith and values more publicly.”
Faith in Action Amidst Uncertainty
As Ruiz and his congregation ended their procession, they did so with the reinvigoration of knowing. For many, walking together reaffirmed their goodness on Good Friday. For all, it cemented their unity in light of the evil that is immigration enforcement. With every footfall passed they were reminded of the faith that bound them and their dedication to service through community support.
The obstacles created by immigration enforcement policies are deeply felt in immigrant rich communities like theirs. Residents are living in fear and confusion over their immigration status. In order to make up for these losses, leaders in the community, such as Ruiz and Breyer, are providing support and advocacy to fill the gaps.
The Good Friday observance turned into quite the testimony of resistance. Running helped connect us, reminding us that even during division, we all stood strong together against the darkness. The truth is, faith leaders have been on the frontline, actively responding to their communities’ needs. Their passion to advocate for truth and love shines through in all their powerful work.
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