Mahoning Valley community to join nationwide Disappeared in America march

On Sunday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m., community members in Youngstown will join thousands of people across the country for the Disappeared in America Weekend of Action, a coordinated wave of vigils, protests, and cultural events demanding an end to the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign of detention, deportation, and disappearances targeting immigrant families.

The local event in Youngstown will include laying of flowers at the courthouse and a silent march to the county jail to lay flowers to honor those who have been detained, deported, and disappeared, while calling for due process, dignity, and justice for all people — regardless of immigration status.

Event organizers said the march builds on the momentum of the No Kings protests on Oct. 18 and is part of a growing national movement confronting authoritarian overreach and the erosion of fundamental rights.

It also coincides with many other events opposing the abuse of immigrants, undocumented people and Brown people throughout the country during the All Saints Day weekend and Day of the Dead which is celebrated by the Latino/Hispanic community.

Event organizers said the march will begin at the Mahoning County Courthouse steps with a few words and laying of flowers to mark the injustices perpetuated by the county through the jail. It will then proceed to the jail on 5th avenue (about 5 blocks away) where attendees will lay more flowers to honor the disappeared and the detained. Attendees are asked to bring a flower or two and wear black as a symbol of collective grief.

The event is organized by Youngstown Interreligious Prayer Group for Immigrants as part of the national Disappeared In America campaign.