Hundreds expected at local "Families Belong Together" rallies

GOSHEN, Ind. – Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets for the “Families Belong Together” march on Saturday in protest of the Trump administration’s “Zero Tolerance” immigration policy.

According  to the organization’s website, there are over 700 rallies across the country. Three of the marches are happening in Michiana.

The first rally is happening in Goshen at 9:30 a.m. Event organizers expect between 400-500 people to participate. March organizers say they oppose the criminalization of immigration and immigrants and demand the Trump administration reunite families separated by the “zero tolerance” policy.

“I have a child and I know how much I love my child, and I know how terrified she would be if she were separated from me, wasn’t with me,” said Naomi Zook. “I’m also a teacher, so I care very passionately about my students, and I care very passionately that they feel that their community supports them and this community is behind them.”

President Trump did sign an executive order which stopped the family separations about two weeks ago, but organizers say this doesn’t signify victory and makes it more important to speak out.

“The goal of the rally today is to bring light to the issue, to give a voice to the voiceless,” said Zook. “It’s to recognize that it’s happening and that it’s not ok. That this is not moral.”

At 2 p.m. there is a rally in South Bend at the Mary Crest Office Building/

At 3 p.m. in St. Joseph, there is another rally at “On the Bluff.”