Buzz
Judson community wants to bring
immigrant activist Jean home
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Three years ago Immigration & Customs
Enforcement (ICE) picked up
immigration rights activist Jean Montrevil
near his home in Brooklyn during his
lunch hour, spirited him to Krome Detention
Facility in Florida and deported him to Haiti.
It had been years since a decades-old
conviction when Montrevil served time.
A maturing and reformed Montrevil
started a family, a business, and became
a contributing member of society. His
life’s trajectory resonated with the Judson
Memorial Church community and they
PHOTOS BY TEQUILA MINSKY
Judson immigration activists making
their voices heard.
became supportive and mutually involved
with each other.
“He is the face of our values—‘to welcome
the stranger’,” says Keen Berger, part
of Judson’s Immigration Task Force.
In 2007, Montreveil co-founded with
Ravi Ragbir the multi-faith immigrantled
New Sanctuary Coalition that creates
support systems for and empowers those
Following the Jericho Walk, those committed to bringing Jean home stop
outside of Judson Church.
navigating the immigration system. Meanwhile
Jean and Ravi were continuously
surrveiled by Federal immigration agencies.
Haiti’s 2010 earthquake sidelined an
imminent deportation for Jean.
Montreveil maintained involvement with
the Judson community and furthered his
activist activities. It is believed that ICE
particularly targeted Jean and Ravi for their
outspoken immigration activism.
Meanwhile, the Judson community has
never faltered in its support.
Marking the sad date of his deportation,
TeamJean proclaimed “January is for Jean at
Judson”, recommitting to “Bring Jean Home.”
To the 50 activists outside of Judson last
weekend, Jean’s 17-year-old son, Jahsiah
spoke of how he was a child when his father
left. Now, no more, having had to confront
issues he would never have imagined, particularly
missing the continuous presence
of his father.
State Senator Brad Hoylman, a stanch
supporter of the Bring Jean Home campaign,
informed those gathered how he
sponsored with Assemblymember Michaelle
Solages the Protect Our Courts
Act , which passed in July, that curtails
State Senator Brad Hoylman informed ralliers of the Protect Our Courts Act he
introduced and was passed that keeps Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE) officers from making civil arrests in and around New York State and
municiple Courts.
ICE’s policy of arresting New Yorkers at
or outside courthouses without a warrant.
Members of the NYU Law Immigrant
Rights Clinic representing Jean and fi ghting
Community activist Keen Berger, a
member of Judson’s Immigrant Task
Force and TeamJean.
to bring him home also spoke.
Diana Rosen reminded those present
that a year ago they fi led a lawsuit against
ICE in federal court, asking the court to
order Jean’s return to the U.S. because
ICE illegally deported him in retaliation
for his activism on behalf of immigrants
and in violation of due process. “Despite
repeated efforts by ICE to dismiss the case
or put it on hold, the Court has required the
government to turn over records about Jean
and we continue to push the case forward.”
Lauren Wilfong described the latest
action, “With the support of the Judson
community, in November we also fi led a
new request for a pardon of Jean’s decadesold
criminal convictions in Virginia. A
pardon from the Virginia Governor would
allow Jean to ask to reopen his immigration
case, paving a path for him to come home.”
(More info: bringjeanhome.org/January).
To express support for his pardon, supporters
should call and email Virginia’s
Governor Northam (804-786-2211, opt.
#2; ralph.northam@governor.virginia.gov )
From Judson, the ralliers marched twice
around Washington Square Park in a silent
Jericho Walk, carrying their statements on
banners.
This Jehicho Walk, a silent march, twice around
Washington Square Park. Judson immigration activists making their voices heard.
22 January 21, 2021 Schneps Media
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/January)
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