Locals rally at LOVE Park and call on Mayor Parker to defend Philly’s sanctuary city policies

A large black cloth was draped over Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture, the namesake of the park where dozens gathered on a chilly Saturday afternoon.

“Love gets covered up when children live in fear of their families being torn apart,” an organizer yelled as the curtain was hoisted, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

The symbolic display was part of a “Choose Love” rally in which protesters called on city officials to defend Philly’s sanctuary-city status, in response to the targeted focus on immigrant communities as President Donald Trump begins his second term.

About 100 supporters gathered in front of the Arch Street United Methodist Church at Broad and Arch Streets with signs and banners, singing songs as they made the one-block journey. The faith leaders and community members leading the march hoisted a large banner that said “SANCTUARY: It’s a Philly thing.”

“Sanctuary isn’t just a policy,” said Pastor Jennifer M. Joseph of Philly’s Zion Community Church. “It’s a reflection of who we are and who we aspire to be.”

The march was organized by the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, which includes 33 regional churches. The movement and its leaders have been mobilizing in full gear in response to Trump’s executive order allowing federal immigration authorities to conduct arrests in locations that include churches, hospitals, and schools.

Attendees raised signs that read “Immigrants are the backbone of this country,” “Choose love,” and “Unite, don’t divide us.”

“We demand our city leaders show love through policies, particularly at schools,” said Erika Guadalupe Núñez, who leads Juntos — a community-led, Latine immigrant organization in South Philadelphia. “Our children deserve better.”

Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth-largest city, is home to an estimated 50,000 undocumented immigrants.

City officials said earlier this week that Philly’s status as a sanctuary city will remain in place despite Trump’s threats to punish cities that do not assist in planned crackdowns on undocumented immigrants. But organizers with the New Sanctuary Movement say they need to see more direct action from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

» READ MORE: Mayor Parker’s administration says Philly’s sanctuary city policy remains despite threats from Trump

“This does feel like this is a test of Philly leadership,” said New Sanctuary Movement codirector Peter Pedemonti. “There’s a LOVE statue in the middle of Philadelphia, the city of brotherly and sisterly love. [Parker] represents a Philadelphia for all. So the question is: Is she going to stand on the side of love and families?”

Pedemonti added: “The immigrant community needs a lot more clarity and courage right now. So what we want from [Parker] is not just clarity … but knowing that she is going to stand in the way and stand up to the attempts to intimidate and take away these policies.”

Parker was not in attendance and has no scheduled appearances this weekend, according to her public calendar.

Still, many of the speakers invoked the mayor’s name.

“To Mayor Parker, my fellow woman of color, and to the City Council, we ask you to choose love,” Joseph said. “Make Philly a beacon of hope. We are watching. … We hope to stand with you, but we need you to stand with us.”

Earlier this week, Pedemonti and fellow New Sanctuary Movement codirector Blanca Pacheco alerted church leaders that Trump’s executive order did not allow ICE agents to enter at will. They directed clergy leaders to request signed warrants. The group also encouraged churches to have response protocols in place.

Rally attendees and speakers said anxieties were high as surrounding states have started experiencing ICE raids, including a highly publicized raid in Newark, N.J., on Thursday where three people, including a U.S. military veteran, were detained without a warrant.

» READ MORE: Mayor criticizes ICE raid at Newark seafood distributor as ‘not democracy’

Among faith leaders in attendance Saturday were Rabbi Linda Holtzman of Tikkun Olam Chavurah — who organized and led a demonstration during the Jewish High Holidays protesting ICE’s enforcement of immigration policy during Trump’s first term — and the Rev. Jay Bergen, a pastor with the Germantown Mennonite Fellowship.

Bergen has often spoken out about the sanctity and safety religious centers can provide. Fearing deportation, Carmela Apolonio Hernandez — an undocumented immigrant from Mexico — and her four children lived at their church for three years, Bergen recalled.

Bergen said that it’s critical to take action to protect immigrants today and that doing so would speak to Philly’s quality, character, and legacy. And, with many attendees donning Eagles gear, Bergen would have been remiss not to make a Birds reference.

“The Trump administration is the playoffs for the mayor, the DA, and our city’s leadership,” Bergen said. “This is it. Are they going to be Nick Foles or Carson Wentz? Are they going to do what it takes to protect Philadelphians from ICE raids and make Philly proud, or are they going to fall short?”