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Woodbridge, Va. — Community leaders held a candlelight vigil in honor of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Johan Sebastián, and all other victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brutality at CCRM Ministries. The vigil was hosted by Aquí: The Accountability Movement; Virginia LULAC; We Are CASA; Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights; Tenants and Workers United; and Dreamer Mothers In Action. Pictures available here

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Participants of diverse faiths and backgrounds called for accountability and an end to immigration law enforcement that is devastating families and terrorizing communities. Following are quotes from various participants.

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“Every worker should be able to return home to their family. Every parent should be able to leave for work or drive through their community without fear. Every child should have the certainty that the people they love will make it home. And every community deserves to live in peace, free from fear, with the assurance that every life is valued and protected,” said Sindy Benavides, Aquí: The Accountability Movement. “That is what we are praying for, mobilizing for, and demanding from our federal government.  We ask Congress to conduct a full independent investigation into the deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Johan Sebastián and all the lives lost at the hands of ICE. We demand accountability!”

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Said Lenka Mendoza, Founder of Dreamer Mothers In Action, “The deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero are tragedies that should never have occurred. Dreamers Mothers in Action calls for independent investigations, transparency, and accountability. No family should lose a loved one as a result of immigration enforcement operations marked by fear and the disproportionate use of force. Our communities deserve safety, dignity, and justice.”

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​Monica Sarmiento, Executive Director Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights, added “ We are deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic loss of life among individuals in ICE custody. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and justice, regardless of their immigration status. We call for immediate transparency, accountability, and comprehensive reform to prevent further tragedies by a rogue agency abusing power to target communities of color. Now is the time for us to show full force and ask Congress and the Trump Administration for reform.”

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Christopher Concepcion is the State Director for Virginia LULAC. He said, "The deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero are absolute tragedies and heartbreaking reminders that these incidents continue to occur. The most important thing I want everyone to remember is that Lorenzo was a father, a hardworking man, and a person just like you and me. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, build a better life, and contribute to his community. He did what so many people across this country do every day: he worked hard, cared for his loved ones, and sought the opportunity to live with dignity. Let us remember Lorenzo not for the circumstances of his death, but for the life he lived. Let us honor the memories of Lorenzo and Johan Sebastian by ensuring that no other family has to endure this kind of loss. We must pursue meaningful reforms and enact laws that protect human life, strengthen accountability, and prevent tragedies like these from happening again."

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Said Hector Joya, Lead Organizer with CASA, “Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero were more than headlines — they were fathers, workers, neighbors, and beloved members of their communities. Tonight, we gathered to honor their lives and stand with their families, while reaffirming that every person deserves to live and work with dignity, free from fear. At We Are CASA, we remain committed to building communities where every family is respected, protected, and treated with humanity.”

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About Aquí: The Accountability Movement: Aquí is a nonpartisan movement building collective power to demand accountability and visibility for Latinos in media, politics, and business.

 Learn more at www.aqui.org.

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