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Jovana Calvillo a lead organizer with Somerville for Palestine and of the rally sharing her story growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants.
On Saturday, March 8, 200 Somerville residents rallied in support of our immigrant neighbors in front of the East Somerville Library for two hours in 30-degree temperatures. The rally featured Somerville residents sharing their immigrant stories and loudly declaring their existence here. Many local organizations shared their ongoing work and commitment to support immigrant communities during national attacks on immigrants and undocumented people. Rally attendees joined calls for an end to deportations and ICE raids, for Maura Healey to declare Massachusetts a Sanctuary State, to uphold Somerville’s sanctuary city status, and for city elected officials to affirm immigrants’ important role and right to be in our city and schools.
The rally was organized by Somerville for Palestine and other supporting organizations included Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS), Cosecha MA, Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Somerville Educators Union, Somerville Educators for Sanctuary Schools, Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), Connexion Church, Padres Latinos, Brazilian Women’s Group, TPS Alliance of MA, and The Welcome Project.
Doris of the Temporary Protected Status Alliance of Massachusetts shared how solidarity is essential during these times of increased attacks on immigrant and undocumented people: “An attack on one is an attack on all. We are living through difficult times where fear is being imposed on our communities, leaving immigrant families terrified. Yet, I stand here to call on all of us to unite. Unity is our most powerful tool to overcome the hateful policies targeting our people.”
Tania Chaman, a Padres Latinos member, performing a song from her band Curazon.
Speakers’ spoke in English or Spanish, and interpreters assisted interpreting to make sure all of the speakers’ words were heard in English and Spanish. Two speakers spoke in Portuguese as well. The rally featured chants, songs, speeches, and poetry. Many of the signs supporters held read “Immigrants Matter,” “No Borders, No Walls, Freedom for All,” and “No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land”.
Oscar, a Guatemalan resident of Somerville and member of the Party of Socialism and Liberation, shared how our commitment to our immigrant neighbors is connected to the struggle for liberation: “Both here at home and in Palestine where families are ripped apart by violent raids every single day and night. In Palestine, people have survived and persevered through a genocide. A genocide that was meant to strike fear and divide the Palestinian people. But did it? No, it did not. Instead, they organized and resisted the brutal Israeli government. And that is what we must do as well here at home: resist.”
Oscar from PSL calling for Governor Maura Healey to make Massachusetts a sanctuary state and sharing his immigrant story.
Nicole Eigbrett, Co-Executive Director of Asian American Resource Workshop, provided key connections between these struggles:
The Asian diaspora in Somerville and Boston is diverse, but the root cause of why many of us migrated here are intertwined with neighbors from Central and South America and the Caribbean: U.S. militarism and imperialism. Just like the Wars in Southeast Asia, with 2025 marking the 50th anniversary – U.S. militarism has fueled violence and political instability in El Salvador, Haiti, Brazil, Honduras, and countless other nations – and most recently, 466 days of genocide in Gaza. The movement for immigrant justice must also be a movement to end U.S. militarism globally.
Neda, a Palestinian resident of Somerville and the daughter of Palestinian refugees, further connected these parallels and encouraged people to get involved, “In these times of uncertainty, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with fear, but as my mom told me, always look for the helpers. In every trying time, in every moment of need, look around and you will find people who will help, support, protect, and stand by you, with you, and for you. If you can, become the helper. Join a local organization like Somerville for Palestine, MAMAS (Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville), and Somerville community fridges, to name a few.”
Cesar, a seventh-grade math teacher at the East Somerville Community School and a member of the Somerville Educators for Sanctuary Cities, affirmed the importance of creating an educational environment where all children and families are welcome: “We believe that all children and families in our sanctuary city, regardless of immigration or documentation status, have a right to an equitable educational environment where they are welcomed, respected, cherished, and protected.”
Somerville is a sanctuary city, and has been for 30 years. A sanctuary city is a municipality that does not prosecute or arrest immigrants solely for violating federal immigration laws. Nearly 30% of Somerville residents are immigrants, meaning this issue is close to heart for many.
Protestor holding “Immigrants Are Welcome Here” sign.
Neda shared: “There is a poem in Arabic that translates to English as: ‘the spears are stronger together and when separated are broken one after one.’ Look around you today, at all the friends and allies here and know that these are not the only people who will fight for you. Lean on each other, stay united, and fight together. Together we are undefeatable. Together, we will thrive. Together, we belong.”
Eigbrett, leader of AARW and longtime Somerville tenant organizer, concluded her remarks by sharing, “There’s a saying in the SEA [South East Asian] community that goes, ‘We are here because the U.S. was there.’ But now here is our home, and we immigrants have the right to remain. Join us in fighting the U.S. deportation machine and the legacies of imperialism that created it.”
Somerville for Palestine is an inclusive local, community-led group who formed in response to Israel’s U.S.-funded genocide against the Palestinian people and is united in steadfast advocacy for Palestinian liberation. Our coalition members represent a diversity of faiths, races, ages, gender identities, abilities and cultural heritage, all standing in explicit solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, self-determination, and full human and civil rights from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea.
— Text and photos courtesy of Somerville for Palestine and other supporting organizations included Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS), Cosecha MA, Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS), Somerville Educators Union, Somerville Educators for Sanctuary Schools, Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW), Connexion Church, Padres Latinos, Brazilian Women’s Group, TPS Alliance of MA, and The Welcome Project.
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Not fair to all the folks who bought their homes years ago worked hard for years and want to live in peace. The city took on being a sanctuary city and decided the only ones who matter are immigrants.Now immigrants run the city. Unless you are an immigrant and being financially supported by the city/ state no one else can afford to rent/buy here. Completely wrong and shameful. Take car eof your American citizens first and foremost !
“Somerville For Palestine’s” opinion piece transparently – and shamelessly uses a good cause – the rights of immigrants (whether or not they are documented) to push their violent/pro-Hamas agenda. In all of their literature, protests and speeches, they NEVER support a peaceful, two state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians -while also making it a point to NEVER criticize Hamas – including its barbaric attack on October 7, 2023.
Love this community in Somerville!!! Solidarity has no borders! Immigrant rights are human rights. We all make Somerville a better place!!
I am SO PROUD of the Somerville residents willing to stand against injustice in our community. Whether it is advocating for our immigrant community or against genocide, the work being done by the orgs present at the rally—MAMAS, Cosecha, SEU, Somerville for Palestine, Padres Latinos, etc— are doing IMPORTANT, CRUCIAL work. Immigrants, organizers, and anyone willing to stand up for justice make our city better.
For those who haven’t gotten involved in a community organization yet, this is your sign!
Right on! It’s disheartening hearing so many scapegoating immigrants for everything, including in this comments section. Housing costs too high? Blame immigrants. Government benefits programs underfunded? Blame immigrants. First of all, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for most government benefits. What’s making housing costs high are the limited supply of housing and out-of-control rental market.
Second of all, we SHOULD be helping immigrants as much as we can. Many have had to flee situations of violence you probably can’t even imagine. Read about what’s going on in Haiti right now, for example. If we didn’t spend $ on Israel and other military operations that destabilize countries, there wouldn’t even be as many refugees!!
Somerville for Palestine does wonderful work. This rally really shows how much our community wants to help our immigrant population. Don’t hate on a group cause they want to help people whether Palestinian or from somewhere else. Great job everyone one.
Great article! I’m proud to see so many of my neighbors come out to support the immigrants in our community. Thanks to Somerville for Palestine and all the orgs that worked together to make this happen! Abolish ICE! End deportations! Free Palestine!!
Way to go to all the amazing organizers that made this happen! So proud of my city and these organizers
Hell yeah! Awesome stuff.
So amazed and impressed by my neighbors. Events like these give me hope in a time that feels so bleak sometimes. We keep each other safe <3 Immigrants are welcome here!
Hey Hala:
Could anything possibly be more disingenuous than your “Don’t hate on a group cause they want to help people whether Palestinian or from somewhere else” ?!
I’m all for any group that wants to “help people.” But when that group – such as Free Palestine – supports – or refuses to condemn – murdering more than a thousand unarmed civilians including children and raping scores of women…which is EXACTLY what Free Palestine’s position has been since Oct 7, 2023….then who’s kidding whom?
And before you or anyone else wants to get into a whataboutism…I have no trouble condemning Israel’s war crimes in Gaza and it’s occupation of the West Bank.
And Matthew….I too want a “Free Palestine”..,.alongside of a free and secure Israel. A quick question for you: Does your advocacy for a free Palestine mean alongside of Israel (ie a two state solution) or in replacement of Israel? An honest answer would be appreciated…although I have a feeling I know what your true agenda is. Though, I’m certainly open to be pleasantly surprised.
“As a Gazan and as a Palestinian, I want the protesters and the organizers of these protests to know that their hateful speech harms us. The Jewish person or Israeli you are intimidating during your rally may be the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor or a family member of an Israeli slain or abducted by Hamas on October 7. These folks would be your partners if the protests were about achieving lasting peace and justice for Palestinians and Israelis.”
https://www.newsweek.com/message-gazan-campus-protesters-youre-hurting-palestinian-cause-opinion-1894313
“Supporter of Peace in the Middle East”: Even if they did criticize Hamas you’d be singing the same tune. True peace and justice in the Middle East means the right of return for all Palestinian refugees, no apartheid system between Jews and Arabs, the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people, and the end to further colonialism!
Inspiring to see so many Somerville speakers, children of immigrants and immigrants, share how immigrant justice and justice for Palestine are one and the same. The same oppressive systems are used against those who advocate for Palestinian Liberation in the U.S., Palestinians abroad, and immigrants in the U.S. As one of the speakers said, immigrants and Palestinians both experience state violence from raids and kidnappings. On the same day of this rally, Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian legal permanent resident and Columbia University Alum, was unlawfully arrested in retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian Liberation and taken by ICE. On March 24, Rumeysa Ozturk, Turkish Tufts student on a visa, was horrifically kidnapped by ICE agents wearing plain clothes, for writing an opinion piece on Palestinian Liberation. We have to keep speaking up about these issues, especially during a time when an administration is attempting to scare us into silence. As Mahmoud said, “It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom.”From Palestine to Mexico, all these walls have got to go, Free Palestine !