100 women and their supporters ended their 100 mile walk at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C. last night, over one week after starting their trek at a detention center in York, Pennsylvania.
The women — many embracing and in tears as they walked into the square to the sounds of cheers and applause — began their walk to call attention to immigration reform and the plight of the migrant and refugee as Pope Francis arrives to Washington, D.C. for his historic visit.
As they entered the square, each woman was handed a single white flower. Many carried signs calling for compassion for the immigrant and refugee, and others carried religious figures or were holding their small children.
It was impossible to not be moved by the images.
At McPherson Square, waiting for the incredible women from #100Women100Miles to arrive! pic.twitter.com/6MgC2aEF8W
— America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
#100women100miles nearly at McPherson Square. They’ll each be greeted with a flower. pic.twitter.com/6xz1eLIWwl
— America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
#100Women100Miles enter McPherson Square to cheers and applause. pic.twitter.com/RHCddgkMiV — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
Tears from pain and joy at the end of a 100 mile journey in the name of our families. #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/lRAYjWzFFJ — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“We have arrived!” Justice and dignity for families. #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/Enu3sEuA4Y — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“We all started this journey because of the love we have for our families and our communities.” #100Women100Miles — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“We all started this journey because of the love we have for our families and our communities.” #100Women100Miles — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
The women, supporters gather at McPherson Square in celebration of #100Women100Miles. pic.twitter.com/BmGpjP6U2d — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“Dignity for migrants. Dignidad para los migrantes.” #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/0yZ8sbDMv2 — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
The women getting a much-deserved chance to sit down after the end of their journey. #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/9DxSD9viGv — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“The Pope is in Washington, D.C.” Crowd cheers. #100Women100Miles — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“The Pope would tell us about bravery. About solidarity. About hope.” #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/BmerojmT70 — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
A prayer in thanks for the safe journey of the women, and a prayer for Pope Francis. #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/CqbT6yTOK2 — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
The women have their feet blessed with Holy Water. #100Women100Miles pic.twitter.com/yVbkhqDuos — America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
“Mary, Joseph and Jesus were all migrants who also experienced extreme poverty” -Peruvian archbishop tells #100women100miles — Kaelyn Forde (@kaelynforde) September 22, 2015
Praying for @Pontifex who arrives from long journey. Please hear our prayers of the #100women100miles @DefineAmerican pic.twitter.com/5CiEycqwpN — Ryan M. Eller (@EllerRyan) September 22, 2015
“Each step you took was a prayer.” #100Women100Miles
— America’s Voice (@americasvoice) September 22, 2015
Catholic Priests blessing the feet and rosaries of the #100Women100Miles. Very touching moment. pic.twitter.com/xP5RPYGvP7
— Elianne Ramos (@ergeekgoddess) September 22, 2015
We did it! We made it! Mile 100 done! Congratulations to all the walkers. From York PA to DC walking for migrant dignity! #100Women100Miles — We Belong Together (@WomenBelong) September 22, 2015
So proud of my mama who got to see @Pontifex at the @WhiteHouse this morning after walking with #100women100miles! #NoPapersNoFear
— Erika Andiola (@ErikaAndiola) September 23, 2015
Last night the arrival of 100 women who walked 100 miles for immigrant justice was so moving. Viva el movimiento! #100women100miles — Frank Sharry (@FrankSharry) September 23, 2015
#100Women100Miles in DC, welcome @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/EiodI07bAq — Ai-jen Poo (@aijenpoo) September 23, 2015
“Our hope is really that our act of love and faith and sacrifice and the Pope’s words will touch hearts of Americans across the country to open their homes and communities to migrants and refugees, and make sure that we’re treating them with compassion and not with cruelty,” said Andrea Mercado, co-chairwoman of We Belong Together.
Their journey has not been in vain. At the White House earlier today, Pope Francis addressed immigration in the very first sentence of his first speech on American soil:
“I am deeply grateful for your welcome in the name of all Americans. As the son of an immigrant family, I am happy to be a guest in this country, which was largely built by such families.”
Many of the women from the 100 mile walk were present at the White House event, and others will be at the Capitol lawn for the Pope’s historic address to Congress on tomorrow, Thursday.
They continue to hold out hope that Pope Francis’s message of dignity and compassion for the immigrant can help change the toxic rhetoric from Republican lawmakers and candidates who have refused to find a permanent solution for our nation’s 11 million undocumented immigrants.
As one immigration advocate told us yesterday about Pope Francis: “We know he has the power to move hearts.”
