Can Faith Groups Lead on Immigration? Leaders Weigh In at Nashville Rally

Faith Leaders Unite in Nashville to Support Immigrant Communities

On August 17, faith leaders from various religious backgrounds gathered at Richland Park in West Nashville to show their support for immigrant communities. This event, organized by several local groups, aimed to highlight the importance of welcoming and protecting immigrants, who are often targeted by increased immigration enforcement.

Rev. Ingrid McIntyre of Glencliff United Methodist Church opened the rally with a powerful message about the Gospel’s call to hospitality. “I’m here to live out the Gospel,” she said. “All faiths say to welcome the stranger.”

The interfaith rally, titled “Voice of the Faithful: A Rally for Immigrant Dignity,” brought together hundreds of attendees, including members of different Christian denominations and other faith communities. Many wore T-shirts with messages such as “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are Christian values” and carried signs that read, “Have you checked your family tree for immigrants?”

Paula Gaddis, a 67-year-old member of Belmont United Methodist Church, was among those present. She wore an “Immigrants make America great” T-shirt and expressed her belief that immigrants share the same aspirations as everyone else. “They want a chance at a good life, rewards for hard work, and to be treated fairly,” she said.

The rally took place against the backdrop of a recent increase in U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in Tennessee. These actions are part of a broader national strategy under the Trump administration, which has emphasized stricter immigration enforcement. However, many in the community argue that these measures have gone too far, creating fear and uncertainty among immigrant families.

Imam Hamid Abdullah of Masjid Al-Islam in Nashville spoke about the need for faith communities to stand up for the most vulnerable. “Immigrants have brought a really rich component to this country,” he said. “They don’t have a lot of protections. I think it’s important for all faith communities to rally behind the most vulnerable people in our country.”

Several organizations collaborated to organize the event, including Nashville Organized for Action and Hope, the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, and ReMix Way. Faith leaders from various backgrounds participated, using megaphones to address the crowd. Some of the notable speakers included:

• Father Michael Fye of St. Ann Catholic Church
• Rev. Lhorraine London Polite from ReMix Way
• Rabbi Joshua Kullock from West End Synagogue
• Rev. Harold Love from Lee Chapel AME and state representative for District 58
• Rev. Carol Calvin-Dillon of West End United Methodist Church
• Rashed Fakhruddin of the Islamic Center of Nashville
• Talice Allure of the Islamic Center of Nashville

Linda Brown-Saffore, president of NOAH and a retired Metro teacher and pastor, addressed the crowd with a strong message of unity. “Whatever law we have for us, we should have for (immigrants),” she said. “Together we can make a powerful statement.”

The rally highlighted the significant contributions of immigrants to the economy, including filling labor shortages, contributing tax revenues, and enriching communities through cultural traditions and diverse perspectives. Attendees emphasized that immigrants are not just a part of the fabric of American society but essential to its growth and development.

Zach Durbin, a 39-year-old from Spring Hill, attended the rally with his wife despite not being affiliated with a church. “I think people just need to be treated better overall,” he said. “Sitting silent doesn’t get anything done.”

This event demonstrated the power of interfaith collaboration and the importance of standing together for justice and dignity for all. It served as a reminder that the values of compassion, inclusion, and respect are not confined to any single religion or community but are shared by all who believe in the principles of fairness and humanity.