Angel Island & Congregational Witness

In October 2010, GUM assisted the Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (ICIR) with a "Pilgrimage to Angel Island: From the Whispers of the Past to the Cries for Justice Today" by developing a publication that highlighted the role of congregations in serving, and advocating for, the detainees of the historic West Coast immigration detention facility. Download PDF
Over 350 Chinese clergy and congregational members, primarily from San Francisco's Chinatown, took the ferry to the event [see photos], where a inter-religious service was held to remember the detainees that suffered and the congregations that cared for them. Rocks were dedicated at the site to honor those who experienced Angel Island...or those who are being detained today, under current immigration policies that closely mirror the harsh Chinese exclusion laws of the past. A powerful testimony of one such Latino family was shared at the service that day. Theirs, along with other testimonies, can be accessed below.

Dale Ching, former detainee of Angel Island, shares about his imprisonment. Listen to Dale's story on Youtube

Buddy Choy, son of a detainee, shares about his father's Angel Island experience. Hear Buddy's story on Youtube

Craig Wong, grandson of a detainee, shares about how the Presbyterian Mission cared for his grandmother. Listen to Craig's testimony on Youtube

The Jimenez family, whose father was deported, shares about today's immigration system. Hear Yvette and her family's experience on Youtube

Maria Sakovich shares about her grandfather, a Russian Orthodox Priest, who ministered to the detainees. Hear the story of Maria's grandfather on Youtube

Eva Seligman-Kennard shares the little-told story of the Jewish experience on the island. Listen to Eva share her story on Youtube

Un Un Che speaks to the present day impact of immigration laws on the Chinese. Hear Un Un's experience on Youtube

See photos of the Pilgrimage
Media reports about the pilgrimage can be found at ICIR's [blog].