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On Monday (November 17), Syracuse residents, union members, and Upstate Medical Hospital employees gathered at Clinton Square to hold a vigil for three workers detained by federal immigration agents. The workers, Alex Gonzalez, Yan Vazquez, and Mahamed Fofana, were taken into custody and placed in a detention facility in Batavia. Gonzalez and Vazquez were detained in October, while Fofana was detained a week ago.
The vigil, organized to show support and solidarity, featured participants holding candles and signs that read "immigrant rights are workers' rights" and "we stand with Alex and Yan." Ali Cottrell, president of the CSEA Local 615 union, emphasized the importance of standing up for the rights of community members, saying, "When people’s rights are violated, we have to stand up."
Many attendees expressed frustration over the treatment of the three men, calling for fair treatment of individuals seeking asylum and following legal procedures. One participant stated, "There's no place for this in the United States. We can do better."
The detentions are part of a broader federal immigration enforcement effort, raising concerns among community members and leaders. The community remains committed to advocating for the rights of immigrants and ensuring their voices are heard.