Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) and allies held a Stand in Solidarity Event to show broad support for immigrant and refugee families, who have long been a part of the fabric of their Nebraska community.

The action featured a powerful lineup of speakers, including OTOC faith and labor leaders and key allies: the president and CEO of Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, president of Nebraska State AFL-CIO, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, co-founder of the Afghan American Foundation, and the CEO of the Latino Economic Development Council. 

“The urgency is clear,” said Heath Mello, President & CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.  “Employers every day are struggling to fill open jobs across multiple sectors—health care, construction, manufacturing, and beyond. The Chamber believes immigration reform must be part of our state’s workforce solution...it’s good economics.”

Speakers pushed back against the negative messages and restrictive policies being initiated at the national level and called for positive immigration policies that will provide permanency and stability for all Nebraska families, workforce, and communities.

Lina Traslaviña Stover, Executive Director of Heartland Workers Center said: "Immigrant communities in Nebraska are helping this state thrive. We are growing the food, building the homes, running big and small businesses, caring for families, and keeping Nebraska moving forward. We will keep building power—with pride, with dignity, and with true allies by our side.."

The crowd of over 200 was urged to contact their representatives to express how they value their immigrant neighbors, and to demand they block cruel immigration enforcement and develop positive a positive path forward for those who have been living in fear.

“The mandate to welcome the stranger, foreigner and to love your neighbor as yourself could not be more clear,” said Rev. Debra McKnight, Founding Pastor of Urban Abbey. “We must stand together. Ours is a faith of sharing daily bread. Ours is a faith of welcome not walls. Ours is a faith that requires each and everyone of us to take courage and love with action.”

[Photo Credit: Cindy Gonzalez, Nebraska Examiner]

Business, Faith, and Advocacy Groups Rally in Omaha to Stand with Immigrants, Omaha World-Herald [pdf]

Show of Support for Immigrants and Refugees get Loud on Omaha's South 24th Street, Nebraska Examiner [pdf]

Telemundo Nebraska's Post, Telemundo