Musicians, poets, writers and other artists came together Sunday evening at the Durango Arts Center for a night of music and spoken word performance to raise funds in support of the rights of immigrants in the country illegally.
The goal of the evening was to raise funds to offset the costs of immigration lawyers for families at risk of separation or deportation because of the their immigration status, said Ashley Edwards, founder of iAM Music of Durango.
“We wanted to have an evening where artists could support immigrants,” Edwards said.
Wendolyne Omaña, a community organizer with Four Corners Compañeros Immigrant Resource Center, said the goal was to raise money to provided discounted services from immigration lawyers who would meet clients in Durango via telephone and video conferencing.
Performers for the concert – titled “Do You Know Your Rights?” – included Yiwan Lance, Gretchen Groenke, Radnolph Scott, Esther Belin, Kyle Makademakwa Ikwe and Baracutanga.
Besides iAM Music, the evening was sponsored by Four Corners Compañeros Immigrant Resource Center, Colorado Rapid Response Network, Manatee Collective and Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
