On Sunday, May 19th, as rain and hail plummeted from the sky, the Pilgrimage of Hope completed the final miles into Sacramento and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral the day before the Day of the Immigrant rally at the State Capitol.
The next morning, Monday, May 20th, a large group representing the Episcopal Dioceses of San Joaquin, Northern California, and California, and friends gathered for the final mile of the pilgrimage from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral to the State Capitol.
Joining the pilgrims at the State Capitol were over a thousand others from all over California at the Day of the Immigrant Rally hosted by The California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC). The morning rally featured speakers including elected officials and musicians. Following the rally, various groups and individuals had opportunities for legislative visits.
The rally resumed at noon with additional speakers and lunch being provided. On behalf of the Pilgrimage of Hope, Bishop David Rice addressed the gathered crowd (see video below). Bishop Rice shared about the Pilgrimage of Hope and the work of the Diocese on behalf of immigrants and refugees. Bishop Rice and the pilgrims concluded their remarks with the pilgrimage mantra,
"We walk because they walk!"
The day ended with additional legislative visits and opportunities to network with others.
"Our pilgrimage to Sacramento has concluded," says Dean Ryan Newman. "However, the work of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin on behalf of our sisters and brothers who are immigrants and refugees is just beginning. I look forward to SJRaise, the Diocese's Immigration Task Force, leading us and pushing us to live out our Baptismal Covenant--to respect dignity of every human being."
