| IAM General Vice President Diane Babineaux shows her support for the Pope and the “One Hundred Miles, One Hundred Women” pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. |
A group of mostly Hispanic undocumented women completed their journey from York, PA to Washington D.C. and were greeted by IAM General Vice President Diane Babineaux and other supporters from labor in front of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
“These women have made this march to show that undocumented migrants are real people with real struggles,” said Babineaux. “We want them, and the Pope, to know that we support their message.”
The weeklong march, named “One Hundred Miles, One Hundred Women,” has drawn support from residents, motorists and passers by each day.
The pilgrimage was organized by We Belong Together, a campaign to mobilize women in support of common sense immigration policies that will keep families together.
Their journey was timed to arrive during the visit of Pope Francis to the nation’s capital. Although the women realize that meeting the pontiff may be unlikely, they hope their cause will benefit from his calls for compassion, dignity and justice for migrants and the poor.
