Members of United Interfaith Action (UIA) held a structured meeting on November 18, 2010 at the First Baptist Church with Mayor William Flanagan and Police Chief Dan Racine to hear them respond to several questions about the treatment of undocumented immigrants. Four hundred fifty people from Brazil and Hispanic countries who live or work in Fall River assembled to hear their responses following testimony from half a dozen speakers who described concerns in the community that any contact with the police might result in deportation. Both the Chief and the Mayor responded that the Fall River police have no jurisdiction that would enable or permit them to arrest anyone simply due to lack of documentation. Both agreed to meet with UIA leaders to continue to build a relationship of trust and respect between their Brazilian and Hispanic communities and the police department. UIA is a congregation-based community improvement organization that has been active in Fall River for over ten years. Leaders and clergy of the Church of the Holy Spirit, St. Mary's Cathedral, and First Baptist Church organized the meeting. Click here for the Herald News article. Click here to see a video of the event. Click here for photos of a previous UIA Action meeting held earlier in the week.. For more information about UIA, contact Rev. Scott Spencer..
 

(Top row) Some of the speakers, including several from the Brazilian and Hispanic Apostolates of St. Mary's Cathedral, Fall River Police Chief Daniel Racine and Mayor William Flanagan, are introduced by Arli daSilva of Christ Is Life Church at the meeting held at the First Baptist Church. (Middle row, left) Rev. Gerson, Pastor of the Christ Is Life Presbyterian Church in Fall River suggests that Fall River could lead the way in improving relationships with undocumented immigrants in Massachusetts. (Middle row, right) Rev. Donald Mier, pastor of First Baptist Church, explains what UIA does and how it works. (Bottom row left and center) Fall River Police Chief Racine describes how police officers respond to persons without documentation. (Bottom row, right) Joe Carvalho, president of the Coalition for Responsible Siting of LNG Facilities, talks with Carlos Cesar of the Flint Neighborhood Association after the meeting.