Vigil against children in migrant detention centres being held in Vancouver

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Our federal government needs to take a strong stand for the rights of children in detention centres.

That’s the message the organizer of a vigil in Vancouver wants to send as people gather in solidarity with others demonstrating around the world today against migrant detention centres along the U.S/Mexico border.

It’s called Lights for Liberty, and Rocco Trigueros says it’s not just focusing on an American issue, it’s an issue of greater humanity.

“I’m very surprised we haven’t hade an official response from the federal government about this treatment of children,” he says. “I’m very concerned and since I haven’t seen a real strong standing against this violation of human rights at detention centres, I decided to organize this rally.”

Trigueros adds when it comes to Canada, there are detention centres across the country as well.

“We also have detention of children in Canada, we hope this experience in the U.S will help Canada consider other sources of monitoring migrants in the country,” he adds.”I don’t think minors should be in detention centres. Look what is happening in the U.S, we don’t want this to happen here.”

Trigueros says his vigil at the Vancouver Art Gallery is just another way for people to show their support for young children held in these centres, and could send a larger message to the U.S.

“It helps a lot. Of course, showing solidarity reminds us as Canadians to look at what is going on in our country, in general look at our children and make sure they have better lives. Not just because they’re not in detention centres, we have children here who are hungry, who have issues with housing”.

The vigil starts at 7:00 pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery.