Journal: Rally at the Richwood Correctional Center

Departure time is 7:20 am

I am meeting Nel Hahn and two of her friends to drive up there.
It is about a three hour drive to the Monroe area.
02:59pm:
Arrived about 10:15.
Found the rally across the intersection from the Ridgewood Correctional Center.
Good turnout. Families of detainees attended. Some from Florida. Several folks spoke from the heart in either English or Spanish pleading that this policy of unnecessary incarceration be stopped. As Nel Hahn pointed out, other states have had programs that allow immigrants to be released until their court dates, but Louisiana has not tried that. Ridgewood is a privately-owned for-profit facility and is totally unnecessary.
Nel Has offered to talk with our church about immigrant detention at the November 17th service if nothing comes up to prevent it.
5:46
Back home. Tired but encouraged that -- with media coverage and social media -- others will be motivated to demand justice for these innocent victims.

Here are some photos of the rally and poster party at Mary Guirard's home:

Retired attorney Nel Hahn giving an interview

Protesters gathered near the entrance to Richwood Correctional Center

Warning sign near the entrance

Liberal use of signage!

The attorney who held the poster for this photo informed me that it was drawn by a niece of the uncle who is being held at Richwood. The uncle had found that the girls' father was sexually abusing them so brought them to the U.S. They are in therapy in California. The attorney is attempting to have the uncle removed from solitary confinement at this time. The note says: 'For Chinese uncle, We miss you'

Scott Ferguson with Nel Hahn, and Nel's friends Ktahy and Luc

Mary Guirard's friend Donna, Scott and Mary taking the picture. Making posters for the rally.

Selfie!

Nell Hann spoke at the rally!