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PRESS EVENT: Old Stone Church, Forest Hill Presbyterian, Columbus and Cleveland Residents to Gather Ahead of Manuel Gonzalez’s First Immigration Court Hearing

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***MEDIA ADVISORY***
Wednesday, January 17, 12pm ET
Old Stone Presbyterian Church
91 Public Square, Cleveland

Cleveland, OH – On Wednesday, January 17 at 12pm ET, advocates, allies, and neighbors from Columbus and Cleveland will gather at the Old Stone Church to support Columbus resident Manuel Gonzalez as he heads to his first hearing in Cleveland Immigration Court.

Rev. Dr. Mark Giuliano of Old Stone Church, Rev. John Lentz of Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights, and Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez with The InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF) will gather in community and prayer with Manuel and his supporters at noon, ahead of his asylum hearing at 1pm.  Manuel Gonzalez is the husband of Edith Espinal, who is currently living in sanctuary at the Columbus Mennonite Church.  The couple have three children, two of whom are U.S. citizens.  Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Cleveland Heights is one of the northeast Ohio churches providing sanctuary for an Ohio immigrant, Leonor Garcia.

Columbus and Cleveland-area residents will first gather at noon for prayer and a press conference at Old Stone Church (91 Public Square, Cleveland), then walk to the hearing at Cleveland Immigration Court (801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland).

Reporters are invited to cover both the gathering and prayer session at Old Stone Church as well as the march to Immigration Court.  For more info, see this Facebook page.

WHO:

  • Manuel Gonzalez, Asylum-seeker from Columbus attending first immigration court appearance
  • Rev. Dr. Mark Giuliano, Old Stone Church (Cleveland)
  • Rev. John Lentz, Forest Hill Presbyterian Church (Cleveland Heights)
  • Stephanie Gonzalez, Teenage daughter of Manuel Gonzalez and Edith Espinal
  • Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez, The InterReligious Task Force on Central America (IRTF)

WHENWednesday, January 17 (gathering at noon, hearing at 1pm)

WHERE: Meet at Old Stone Church (91 Public Square, Cleveland) for prayer and press conference; walk to Cleveland Immigration Court (801 West Superior Avenue, Cleveland) for initial hearing

For more information, see “Standing with Manuel Gonzalez – Cleveland Immigration Court”