ITHACA, New York – About 60 people of different faiths marched together in Tompkins County, New York, on Saturday, November 3, to show solidarity with immigrants and refugees and call for compassionate immigration policies as part of the worldwide “Share the Journey” campaign.

“Let us make this pilgrimage today as a way to stand in solidarity with all those fleeing untenable situations across the world,” Laurie Konwinski, coordinator of Justice & Peace ministry for Catholic Charities of Tompkins County, told The Ithaca Voice.

Konwinski, who organized the walk, said the “Share the Journey” movement was meant to symbolically circle the globe in support of migrants and refugees.

Till today, participants logged almost 64,000 miles walked so far.

Dorothy Cotton, a civil rights advocate, said the group would carry their message of justice and peace with songs along the route.

Walkers carry signs and sing songs down the Commons. (Devon Magliozzi/The Ithaca Voice).

Passing through the Commons and by the monument to Martin Luther King, Jr. the group sang, “We Shall Overcome.” They carried “This Little Light of Mine” down Court Street.

The group stopped in front of Moosalla Noor Islamic Community Outreach Services to show solidarity with Muslim community members.

“Let us resolve to stand up against Islamophobia and bigotry of all kinds and let us remember that Jesus was a refugee,” said Peter Ladley, a member of the Peace and Justice Committee at St. Catherine of Siena and of Ithaca Welcomes Refugees.

Peter Ladley recognizes Muslim migrants globally in front of the Moosalla Noor Islamic Community Outreach Services office. (Devon Magliozzi/The Ithaca Voice)

Michael Smith, a member of the First Congregational Church, applauded the First Presbyterian congregation for housing English classes for immigrants.

The Trump Administration capped refugee admissions at 45,000 in 2018, the lowest level since 1980, and plans to further cut that number to 30,000 for 2019.

Members of several congregations joined the walk, including Immaculate Conception, St. Catherine of Siena, All Saints and Holy Cross Catholic Churches; St. John’s and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Churches; St. Paul’s United Methodist Church; First Unitarian Church; First Presbyterian Church; Ithaca Friends Meeting; and the First Congregational Church.