On Saturday, February 8, Pax Christi Florida delegates joined Father Frank O’Loughlin and community members in a powerful demonstration at the Palm Beach County Courthouse to stand in solidarity with migrant families.
The event, organized by Father Frank and the Guatemalan-Mayan Center, gathered people of faith and good will to witness to the dignity of all people, especially in the face of increasing federal and state-level policies undermining immigrants’ rights and humanity
A Gospel Call to Action
During the gathering, Sandra Baran, representing Pax Christi Florida, read from the Gospel of Matthew (25:31-46), the passage is known as The Judgment of the Nations. It reminds us that our treatment of the most vulnerable is a direct reflection of our faith.
Sandra’s reading was a poignant moment, imploring those present to see the face of Christ in their migrant neighbors. She also led the gathering in song to reinforce the message that love and justice must guide our response to those in need.
A Community United for Justice
This demonstration responded to harsh new laws targeting migrants. At the federal level, measures like Executive Order 14160 seek to end birthright citizenship. Other policies expand deportations or restrict asylum.
In Florida, lawmakers passed the TRUMP Act, which Governor DeSantis pledged to veto it—not to protect migrants, but to push for even harsher policies. These attacks on migrants deny dignity and oppose the Gospel.
This witness event reaffirmed Pax Christi’s mission of nonviolence and solidarity with the marginalized. Father Frank O’Loughlin is a longtime advocate for migrant justice. He reminded us that the call to “welcome the stranger” is at the heart of our faith.
Pax Christi Florida continues to resist unjust policies and work for justice, peace, and human dignity. Let us hold fast to the words we proclaimed in the streets that day: As Pope Francis has said, “It should be clear that sending migrants away, denying migrants the capacity to work, to not welcome migrants, it is a sin. It is grave”