This week, members of the Monadnock DEIB Coalition joined community partners at the “Stop Deporting Our Neighbors” rally in Central Square in downtown Keene, NH, standing together in clear opposition to policies and actions that target immigrant families and sow fear in our communities.
We showed up because this issue isn’t abstract — it’s local. Our neighbors are workers, parents, students, volunteers, caregivers, business owners, and friends. They are part of the social fabric that makes the Monadnock Region a place people want to live, work, and belong.
Targeting people because of where they were born or how they arrived here undermines the very idea of community.
This Is About Belonging — Not Politics
Our opposition to deportation raids and immigrant targeting is grounded in our core belief: everyone deserves safety, dignity, and belonging.
When neighbors are singled out, communities fracture. Families are torn apart. Children live with fear. Trust in schools, workplaces, healthcare systems, and local institutions erodes. That harm doesn’t stop at one household — it ripples outward and weakens all of us.
A community cannot thrive when some people are forced to live in the shadows.
Fear Is Not a Community Strategy
We are living in a time when fear is increasingly used as a tool — fear of the “other,” fear of difference, fear of scarcity. History shows us where that leads, and it’s never toward stronger, healthier communities.
Real safety comes from connection.
Real resilience comes from trust.
Real strength comes from caring for one another.
When we protect our neighbors, we protect the integrity of our entire region.
Why We Showed Up
We participated in this rally to:
- Affirm that immigrant neighbors belong here
- Reject policies that criminalize people simply for existing
- Stand in solidarity with families experiencing fear and uncertainty
- Model the kind of community we want to be — one rooted in compassion, justice, and shared responsibility
This is aligned with our broader vision of a Beloved Community — a region where everyone feels seen, valued, and safe enough to fully participate in community life.
What Comes Next
Showing up is just one step. Staying engaged matters.
We encourage community members to learn more, speak up when misinformation circulates, support local immigrant-led organizations, and check in on neighbors who may be feeling vulnerable right now.
You can learn more about the rally and the call to action here:
👉 https://democracynh.com/2025/stop_deporting_our_neighbors
Belonging doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when people choose courage over silence — and community over fear.