7-25-26 Announcement – ICE OUT: Justice for Lorenzo. Justice for Johan. Justice for All.
Song by LoFi Plum ‧ 2026
(Tip: If viewing on facebook or mobilize, it is easier to read the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KY96i90MFbz0paa7k8FNYzpo-75Sr4gSWMrEAkZMmmc/edit?usp=drivesdk
Last words…..
Please join us for our 73rd consecutive community rally to Defend Democracy in beautiful downtown Bethel. While our overall theme is Defending Democracy, each week we pick a specific focus. On Saturday, July 25th, 11am – 12:30pm (90 mins), we join the national, collective action to honor all of the lives lost to ICE, show solidarity with the Houston and Maine communities, support the victims’ families, and demand accountability. Our focus is:
ICE OUT: Justice for Lorenzo. Justice for Johan. Justice for All.
Rather than receive justice, their names are being tarnished with false narratives, lies, and smokescreens. But they are not alone.
“We the People Dissent”:
(7/15 substack)
80,000 people are in detention.
Of them, 80% to 90% are Latino men.
58 people have died in ICE custody in 500 days.
On Tuesday, July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston, Texas. He was a dad driving a work van with his crew when he was gunned down.
Then on Monday, July 13, ICE unleashed the same horrific tactics, fatally shooting 26-year-old Johan Sebastian Guerrero when they stopped his vehicle in Biddeford, Maine. His wife and toddler were forced to witness his murder.
Lorenzo and Johan were beloved members of their communities who were killed on their way to work– one to a job site, the other to start his day as a food delivery driver. Both killed by ICE agents spreading fear, sowing chaos and inflicting violence.
For Lorenzo. For Johan. And for all the victims of state violence.
We’re demanding an end to ICE’s violence.
No more senseless deaths.
Take Action from the ACLU:
Since Renee Good and Alex Pretti were killed by ICE in Minnesota earlier this year, we have yet to see any accountability or meaningful change. Instead, Congress continues to give ICE a practically unlimited budget.
At Stephen Miller’s demand, a new surge of ICE agents has flooded our streets, rushing to meet unprecedented and arbitrary arrest quotas. This type of heartbreaking violence is the inevitable outcome of these horrifying policies.
We’re making these demands:
Congress must commit to stripping ICE of its unprecedented billions in funding
Secretary Mullin must draw down ICE agents from their nationwide arrest surge, end the arrest quotas, and commit to real reform
The Department of Homeland Security must allow a full, transparent, and independent review of all these killings
ICE’s senseless violence cannot continue. Inaction is not an option when agents are killing our neighbors without consequence.
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But what is happening locally?
Thankfully, as far as we know, ICE has not murdered someone in CT.
We are lucky to have longtime members from Danbury Unites for Immigrants, Bill and Karen Hunter, to share some of their latest experiences helping our local immigrant community.
But even locally, ICE tactics have changed in recent months. They’ve moved from large scale operations to something akin to surgical strikes. A more recent development is them directly engaging with community support members in an effort to intimidate. Bill and Karen will share some specific examples of these tactics.
“May Lorenzo and Johan’s memories be a blessing. May their families be surrounded by love and protection. And may we have the courage to seek justice and build a country where every family can live without fear.”
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Karen Hunter
Karen retired 6 years ago after working 25 years as a visiting nurse. She has been a Danbury Unites For Immigrants member since February 2025, involved mainly with court accompaniment and rapid response. Karen also has also helped run, with her husband Bill, a kitten rescue for the last 10 years, with mostly pregnant cats, moms and kittens. Currently, she is taking care of a mama cat and her 4 kittens, who were beloved by their owner, but could not travel when the owner and her kids had to self deport.
Bill Hunter
Bill retired 4 years ago after a 35 year career as an elementary school educator in Mount Kisco, New York. He worked closely with many immigrant families at this dual language elementary school. He continues to support the immigrant community in Mount Kisco through his former school, and has been working with Danbury Unites for Immigrants since February, 2025. In addition, he and his wife Karen help run a pregnant cat and kitten rescue and foster kittens in their home.
Ethan Carey/Mindy Cass (Musicians/Singers)
Ethan Carey has been waking up listeners on the Home of Rock N’ Roll, I-95 in Danbury for more than four decades and has entertained audiences for over 50 years. In the 1970s, he performed throughout the greater Rochester, New York area with the popular acoustic trio Sunup. Back then, one of Sunup’s biggest fans was a young woman named Mindy. Fifty years of marriage later, they’re still making music together.
Today, Ethan and Mindy occasionally perform at special events that celebrate community, hope, and service. During the COVID pandemic, they presented a one-hour Facebook Live concert from their home to help lift people’s spirits. They’re honored to be part of today’s rally and to share songs that continue to inspire peace, understanding, and unity.
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See the full Bethel rally announcement with pictures here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KY96i90MFbz0paa7k8FNYzpo-75Sr4gSWMrEAkZMmmc/edit?usp=drivesdk
Please don’t attend the rally if you cannot refrain from engaging with agitators.
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Never miss information about upcoming rallies by registering for our rally newsletter, bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter
(case sensitive).
You can also provide feedback on what you’d like to see at future rallies.
Questions and feedback are also always welcome anytime at:
BethelDefendsDemocracyRallies@gmail.com
Visit our website BethelRallies.org
to find videos and pictures from our past rallies.
Note: Rally is rain, snow or shine. Please bring your own lawn or camping chair.
Approximate Rally Schedule:
(Rally will be on Greenwood Ave behind the Bethel Library on the sidewalk and up to 17 feet from the curb)
11:00 – 11:15 Live Music
Sign holding
11:15 – 11:45 Program
(Live music and Speakers)
11:40 – 12:30. Sign holding and chanting
12:30 Disperse
Food Pantry Requests:
We collect for Bethel’s food pantry each week. All non-perishable items are greatly appreciated, but the food pantry especially needs: Cereal, Canned & dried fruit, coffee, toilet paper, laundry detergent in SMALL bottles. The pantry is also ready to receive *Cardboard* egg cartons only.
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Upcoming Events:
Danbury Unites for Immigrants (DUFI)
Families Belong Together Fundraiser: August 6th
Our last “Families Belong Together Fundraiser” at Mitad Del Mundo was a beautiful event filled with music, poetry, art, and delicious food from a local immigrant-owned restaurant. Local artists and poets shared their voices, local businesses donated in support, and community members contributed artwork, from paintings to quilts and handmade embroidery. And together, we raised over $5,000 to support our community education work and provide direct financial support to families facing urgent needs.
Now on August 6th, we’re doing it again! Join us for an evening of wine, music, and food at Aquila’s Nest Vineyard.
Families Belong Together: An Evening of Wine & Music
Thursday, Aug 6th, 6pm- 9pm EDT
Aquila’s Nest Vineyard, 56 Pole Bridge Rd, Sandy Hook, CT 06482
Reserve Your Ticket Here
Enjoy live music, wine, food, and conversation with neighbors who care about taking care of each other and building a safe community for everyone. This event will feature incredible local musicians, a local food truck, and a silent location featuring prizes from local businesses and artists.
Each ticket includes: 1 glass of wine from Aquila’s, 1 dinner entree from a local immigrant owned taco truck, enjoy the grounds at the Vineyard, musical performances, a silent auction from local businesses and artists.
Ticket prices and levels
Base Ticket $60: Your donation will support one pack of Know your rights cards.
SuperStar $80: Your donation will support food and materials for a KYR workshop.
Champion $100: Your donation will support printing and materials for 1 family preparedness clinic.
Designated Driver and Under 21: $30 (may also purchase one of the higher level tickets to donate!)
https://facebook.com/events/s/families-belong-together-an-ev/1644846649923798/
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GoFundMe to support impacted families in Texas and Maine
Donate to Justice and Support for Johan Sebastián’s Family, organized by Friends of de Guerrero Family
$650,534 raised · 12,035 supporters
Donate to In Loving Memory of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52 Years Old, organized by LULAC Institute, Inc.
Donate to Help My Family During Father’s ICE Detention, organized by Martha Rojas
$7,651 raised · 177 supporters
Donate to Support for Daniel Tirado Pantoja’s Family, organized by Juana Degollado
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Sneak Peak at Upcoming Bethel Rallies:
Sat August 1st, 11-12:30pm (90mins)
Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act.
Guest speakers: Jeremy Farrell and Randi Gerber Oisher
Sat August 8th, 11am- 12pm (60 mins)
Human Chain 3
We will create another Human Chain of banners (and more!) in a straight line down the sidewalks of Greenwood Ave.
We welcome local organizations to join us with their banners and members to once again demonstrate the unity in our communities and solidarity in our fight against fascism.
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Hands Across The Hudson: August 30th
A coalition of nine Indivisible groups in the Hudson Valley invites the public to Hands Across the Hudson to gather for democracy and join hands in support of our shared democratic values. The event will occur Sunday, August 30, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Walkway Over the Hudson between Highland and Poughkeepsie NY. Official hand hold across the walkway will take place at 2 p.m.
Inspired by the Hands Across America event 25 years ago, attendees will join hands in support of values we cherish and show United We Stand for:
• Voting rights • Free speech and press • Diversity and inclusion • Affordable housing and healthcare • Climate action • Immigrant rights • and more…
There will also be music, singing, a few speeches and booths for voter registration, food pantry donations via QR code.
Celebrate the strength of community and American values by linking hands across the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. Come along, join hands, listen to music, sing, and generate attention, enthusiasm, and engagement before the 2026 midterm elections. No signs are permitted.
Western Connecticut has the ability to make a strong showing of solidarity!
Let’s show the world and politicians that we are not just small, isolated groups. We are united…despite efforts to divide us! It is a message to inspire hope and reenergize us both for the days ahead and engagement for the long term!
To be successful and span as much of the Hudson river as possible they would need several thousand peaceful folk. The walkway is about a mile and a quarter long… a hair under 7,000 feet…mental math says it would take about 2,500+ people to span the river- a very powerful image.
During the Revolutionary War, pig iron and lime from Western Connecticut was sent to make links for the chain across the Hudson River…to prevent British warships from sailing past and cutting New England off from the rest of the colonies. The iron was so strong and successfully deployed that the British never attempted to breach it!
(A 75-Ton Chain Once Spanned the Hudson River to Stop the British)
https://share.google/iXHziTb8fHYRF4jEP
Now it is again time for another Connecticut contingent to come together and stand as links in the human chain in the defense of that same democracy as we again span the Hudson River for a brighter future!
Information on how to be another link in the chain for change:
Contact the organizing team:
handsacrossthehudson@gmail.com
Here is their message to us:
“Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to this event. We are so excited to hear that the word is spreading out into Connecticut, and that hopefully you will have a number of people to participate. We believe it is going to be a significant and powerful message throughout our region that we are united and are going to continue to stand together for all that we believe in !! …”
Below, please find a link to the Hands Across the Hudson Facebook organizing page, as well as their postings on indivisible/mobilize.
Their contact email is:
handsacrossthehudson@gmail.com
You may also contact one of our local ralliers,
Gypsygene@aol.com, for east of the Hudson coordination including carpooling, parking information locally and by the bridge and event t-shirts (https://stores.inksoft.com/indivisible_hudson/shop/home )
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/981168/
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18pJMBJgst/
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We appreciate every one of you that attends. Together we can voice our frustrations, build community, and also hopefully learn a little something from experts or your fellow neighbors’ experience.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. ❤️
Please park at one of the four public parking lots. We ask that you leave the limited street parking spots open so they are available for patrons of downtown businesses – but definitely enjoy our beautiful town’s restaurants and shops after the rally!
Bring your voice, your spirit, and your friends. Let’s make change visible.
💥 Because the fight for democracy continues through all seasons.
Thank you 😊
*A core principle behind all Indivisible events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.*