A coalition of groups in the Quad Cities plans a two-minute-long period of "reflection and prayer" today to mark the one-month anniversary of the immigration raid in Postville. Gilbert Sierra of the League of United Latin American Citizens says their goal is to do this at noon, on the 12th of each month, until federal officials declare a moratorium on immigration raids — or until congress passes comprehensive immigration reform."There’s been one estimate if every undocumented person were to go back (to their country of origin), it would cost this country $3.7 trillion in economic impact," Sierra says.
Sierra hopes their gesture will spark similar periods of silence and prayer in other places around the country. Members of the Scott County Democratic Party, Progressive Action for the Common Good in the Quad Cities and the Mexican Cultural Center in Moline are also involved in today’s two-minute prayer event.