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Mississippians rally against the separation of immigrant fam

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Mississippians rally against the separation of immigrant families

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The Freedom for Immigrants Rally in downtown Jackson
MPB News

Some Mississippians spent the weekend protesting against the separation of migrant families at the U.S.- Mexico border. MPB's Ashley Norwood reports.


On the sidewalk outside the Governor's mansion, dozens of people are holding signs and chanting "Fight Back." They are joining thousands of others rallying across the country.

Talameika Brice is the founder of Mississippi's Pantsuit Nation and a rally coordinator.

"I don't recognize this America. And it troubles me when I see my some recite different pledged and things that are related to America and I know in my heart that that excludes him simply because of the color of his skin," said Brice.

The Freedom for Immigrants Rally in downtown Jackson called for an end to President Trump's zero-tolerance policy which charges undocumented migrants as criminal defenders. It requires adults to be separated from their children with no clear procedure for reuniting.

Susie Tenney says she drove up from Gulfport.
"Some of these children don't even speak English. I am concerned about how they are even going to reunite all these families. If we don't speak up now, who's next," said Tenney.

Charlotte Bachelder says she stands with families because her father was an illegal immigrant. She also says she hopes Governor Bryant will withdraw his support.

"And I want to make sure that our governor who has agreed with Trump's policies and stands behind him 100 percent understands that ripping children from their parents is not Christian in any manner and he claims to be a Christian," said Bachelder.

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order reversing the federal policy that separated more than 2,000 migrant children from their families. Governor Bryant was not available for comment. Ashley Norwood, MPB News.