It was colorful, musical and multilingual. It was rich, joyous and multicultural. It was respectful, solemn and multiracial. This all describes the Solidarity March for Immigrants and Refugees held on Saturday, April 8. An estimated 400 people gathered at the clock tower fountain on the West Pine campus of St. Louis University and walked in solidarity to the Cathedral Basilica.
Musicians played folk songs while the crowd gathered. After an invocation, a Jesuit speaker related his experience working with immigrants and refugees and other marginalized groups in the current social and political climate.
Marchers then strode peacefully along Lindell Boulevard to the Cathedral Basilica. Police escorts stopped and rerouted traffic to allow the mile long stream of people to cross numerous intersections without interruption. Once inside the church, a Mass of Solidarity was officiated by Fr. John O’Brien of the Archdiocese.
Father O’Brien conducted the entire mass in English, Spanish, and French – homily included. It was quite a remarkable experience. “Esto es hermoso, no?” Were the first words he uttered referring to the mass of people before him. “Isn’t this beautiful?” Thirteen other languages were represented in various forms including Arabic, Sign, and Swahili. 
The ceremony was accompanied by a Matachine Dance team regaled in red and feathered costumes with hundreds of bells sewn into the fabric. A choir sang folk songs and hymns from the Western transept. “It is a marvel to see such a varied humanity in one place for one purpose” commented a participant. It truly was a march of human solidarity.
Submitted by Mark Kumming, WCD Member
Thank you Mark, it was a great day.