by Sithy Bin, Faith-Rooted Organizer for Immigration, CLUE Justice
From September 25 to 29, 2024, I had the privilege of participating in “The 2024 Pilgrimage to End Detention: A Journey toward Freedom.” This interfaith, spiritual pilgrimage was organized by the Interfaith Movement For Human Integrity, the Dignity Not Detention coalition, and various local community organizations. Our journey took us from Bakersfield to McFarland, Adelanto, Norco, Calexico, and finally San Diego, visiting six immigrant detention centers along the way.
As I boarded the bus for the 2024 Pilgrimage to End Detention, I was struck by a profound sense of connection. Looking around at the more than 50 individuals joining this journey, I realized I knew over half of them. We were bound not just by our shared purpose, but by our shared experiences.
The word “connection” resonated deeply throughout this pilgrimage. It was a connection to the land we traversed, to the detention centers we arrived at, and most poignantly, to each other. As we traveled from Bakersfield to San Diego, I learned that more than half of my fellow travelers had experienced the inhumane treatment of detention centers. Their stories echoed my own.
On September 26th, as we stood outside Mesa Verde Detention Center in Bakersfield, emotions welled up inside me. This was where I had been detained during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. The memories flooded back – the fear, the isolation, the uncertainty. I remember thinking I might perish there, far from my family, my daughters, and my grandchildren. The experience was horrendous, a dark chapter in my life that I carry with me always.
But in that moment, surrounded by my companions on this journey, I felt a different kind of connection. It was a connection of understanding, of shared pain, but also of shared resilience. We were there not just to bear witness to the suffering, but to transform it into action.
As we continued our journey to Adelanto, Calexico, and finally San Diego, I was constantly reminded of why this pilgrimage is so crucial. ICE detention doesn’t just harm individuals; it tears apart families, traumatizes communities, and goes against the very values of human dignity we claim to uphold. It separates parents from children, fractures support systems, and leaves lasting scars on those who experience it and their loved ones.
Yet, amidst the heaviness of these realizations, I found hope in our collective presence. We were not just sharing our pain; we were combining our strength. As a faith-rooted organizer with CLUE and a directly impacted community leader, I felt honored to be part of this pilgrimage. It wasn’t just about ending detention; it was about building connections, fostering understanding, and working towards a more just and compassionate society.
This journey reinforced my passion for this cause. Every story shared, every prayer offered, every action taken was a step towards healing – not just for us, but for all those still trapped in the system we’re fighting to dismantle.
As we concluded our pilgrimage in San Diego on September 29th, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The connections formed during this journey – to the land, to our shared history, and to each other – will fuel our ongoing work. We are not just seeking to end detention; we are building a community of care, understanding, and action.
This pilgrimage was more than a journey across California; it was a journey of the heart and spirit. In our connections, we find the power to create change. I left this pilgrimage not just with memories, but with a reinforced commitment to continue this vital work until every detention center is closed, and every family is reunited.
Sincerely,
Sithy Bin
Faith-Rooted Organizer for Immigration, CLUE Justice
Read More: Shut Down Adelanto
