Prince William County has experienced unprecedented change in the past few weeks. Starting off two weeks ago with the school board voting to approve environmental measures, as well as declaring Pride Month and adopting new standards of condemning racism. Yesterday, the Board of County Supervisors voted to proclaim that Black Lives Matter during the BLM rally outside of the McCoart Building. This evening, the stage was set for another long-awaited decision as several people gathered outside of the Manassas Courthouse for a rally against the controversial 287(g) policy.

There were a multitude of both young and old who braved the rainy weather to speak out for the abolishment of the policy which had been in place since 2009. Members from organizations such as the Virginia Coalition of Immigrant Rights, CASA and Emgage among others came out in strong opposition to 287(g) and held a series of speeches from individuals, with some discussing the struggles they have faced losing loved ones to deportation. Tonight, they hoped to see it finally removed.

We spoke with several protestors who were responsible for organizing the rally. CASA Virginia Director Luis Aguilar stated, “Today is a historic day for the immigrant and the Latino community because today we eliminate the 287(g) program that was established for political purposes with an anti-immigrant sentiment. Now we have a new leadership that is more representative of the county and we will see the transformation of Prince William County.”

Monica Sarmiento of VACIR discusses why it was so important to abolish 287. “Every single immigrant and they have the right to live the American Dream,” said Sarmiento. “This system has been broken for a very long time. If you’re at the forefront, it’s time for this very antiquated, and racist system to be eliminated.”

On the other side of the field were supporters of the policy, with signs such as “287 Saves Lives” to “Trust Sheriff (Glen) Hill.” They were also vocal in their stance on why they believed it should remain intact. When the PW Perspective visited the supporters to get their views on the policy, no comments were provided.

Clyde Forcer, a gentleman we met at the Black Lives Matter rally yesterday in Woodbridge, talked about why he attended the rally this evening. “I’m here today because any type of discrimination against blacks or immigrants is totally unjustified. Everyone should be treated equal.”

He goes on to address those who are supporting the policy. “The people that want to do 287, when people come into this country, they come for one reason, it’s for a better life. They should be able to live a better life without fear.”

Finally, we had the opportunity to speak with Miss Virginia 2020 Katelyn Page on her support for the movement. “I’m here because it’s the right thing to do,” said Page. “I don’t care where you’re from, you’re welcome here in this country.”

While the weather was damp, the spirits of those calling for justice were far from it.