CONCORD, CA — On Saturday, February 14, hundreds of community members marched through Concord’s Monument neighborhood in a vibrant Valentine’s Day procession organized by the Concord Immigrant Protection Network (CIPN) to publicly show love and solidarity with immigrant families facing heightened fears of immigration enforcement.
The procession began at the former Big Lots parking lot on Monument Boulevard and concluded at Meadow Homes Park. Dressed in white, red, and pink, participants carried handmade signs, sang, chanted, and delivered messages of support directly into one of Concord’s most densely populated immigrant communities.
The action took place amid escalating national ICE activity and growing local concern following announcements that most cases from the San Francisco Immigration Court will be redirected to the Concord Immigration Court. Many residents fear that this shift could result in increased ICE presence and detentions in the area.
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier speaks at Saturday’s event
“This procession was about making love visible in the face of fear,” said Debra Ballinger of the Concord Immigrant Protection Network. “Now is the time to tell our immigrant neighbors here in Concord and across the county that we love you and stand with you. Love is and always will be more powerful than hate.”
Organizers intentionally rooted the procession in the Monument neighborhood to ensure that the message of solidarity reached families who may be too vulnerable to attend larger demonstrations or who have felt isolated amid rising enforcement threats.
Raul Arana Jr., United Latino Voices Community Engagement Coordinator and Diablo Valley College student leader, emphasized the importance of youth and long-term community engagement. “Concord is my home, and immigrants belong here,” Arana said. “Young people cannot stand by while families live in fear. We have a responsibility to show up and defend our community.”
Throughout the morning, speakers highlighted the real-life impact of immigration enforcement on local families, including economic instability, fear of daily activities, and mental health strain. Participants distributed information about available resources and ways to get involved in ongoing support efforts, including court patrols, know-your-rights education, and food distribution. Local Monument resident Beatriz Navarro shared what the procession meant to her. “I have felt so isolated this past year, afraid to leave my house and venture out. It gave me such comfort and hope to see hundreds of people walking through my neighborhood and showing their support.”
Faith leader Reverend Millie Phillips and EBASE Faith-Rooted Coordinator underscored the moral foundation of the gathering. “Across faith traditions, we are taught to love our neighbor,” Phillips said. “We have a moral obligation to stand with our immigrant neighbors and reject injustice. Today was a clear message that our community chooses compassion over cruelty.”
Elected officials, including Concord Mayor Laura Nakamura and Congressman Mark DeSalnier, joined community leaders in affirming support for immigrant residents and recognizing the importance of visible solidarity in moments of fear.
Organizers described the turnout as a powerful demonstration of people power and a reminder that immigrant families in Concord are not alone. The Concord Immigrant Protection Network pledged to continue building coordinated community responses rooted in care, information, and collective action.
ABOUT CIPN
The Concord Immigrant Protection Network (CIPN) is a newly formed network of organizations, community members, and volunteers committed to protecting and supporting immigrant neighbors in Concord and Central Contra Costa County. The network includes EBASE, United Latino Voices, Monument Impact, and allied groups, including Indivisible ReSisters and People Defend CoCo working together on court and Home Depot patrols, know-your-rights education for workers and small businesses, and food distribution.