Fast launched for immigration reform

Organizers of the fast
Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is supporting a fast for immigration reform. Cristian Flores is one of the organizers and is also taking part in the fast.
MPR Photo/Jessica Mador

A coalition of religious and community organizations has launched a fast to call for comprehensive immigration reform. Forty people will drink only water for 10 days and participate in a series of educational workshops at the Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ in Minneapolis.

Cristian Flores, one of the organizers taking part in the fast,says the event is intended to raise immigration issues in a peaceful way.

"I'm part of this community so we have to do something to change the immigration reform and the Dream Act. We are not looking for confrontation. We are making the peace," he said.

Bishop Richard Pates of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is supporting the fast. He is calling on lawmakers to renew work on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

"Immigration reform is sorely, sorely needed in our country and we have to get the energy and the will to really achieve it," he told the group.

The fasters will also be meeting with state legislators to discuss immigration reform throughout the 10 days.

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