Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

Arts & Entertainment

Video: Listen To Kerry Washington's Impassioned Speech At 'Keep Families Together' Rally

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 1, 2018

Modified Jul 1, 2018

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jen Carlson

Published Jul 1, 2018

Modified Jul 1, 2018

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands across the country participated in the Keep Families Together day of action. In New York, a march was led from Foley Square and across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza, where a rally was held. Actress Kerry Washington was one of the speakers at the rally, and gave an impassioned speech to the thousands who had congregated in the park. You can watch it below:

Here is a transcript of the speech:

This country comes from immigration. Slavery is a part of my legacy, I understand the legacy of family separation because slavery is a part of my story and so is immigration. My grandparents on my mother's side came to this country through Ellis Island in the '30s from the Caribbean, and they came here like every immigrant seeking better opportunities because of a lack of opportunity in their land — running from poverty, running from racism, running from a place where they couldn't fulfill a dream. I am the fulfillment of their dream. And I will not stand for somebody else turning this country further down the road of racism and disenfranchisement. Enough is enough!

But I'm gonna warn you. As you stand out here today in this heat, I'm gonna warn you that this is a marathon. I need you to be strong. I need you not just today to stay hydrated, I need you to stay hydrated every day. I need you to get enough sleep. I need you to eat right. I need you to look out for your neighbors because this fight is going to be a long one, but it's going to be worth it, because if we do our jobs in a representational democracy and we show up and we say we want to fulfill those first three words of our constitution, we can transform the legacy of this nation. So one more time, hold hands up in the air: you say 'I matter,' 'We Matter,' 'I am the People,' 'We are the People.'

I am here as a lot of things today. I'm here as an American. I'm here as a woman who is concerned about my ability to control my body. I'm here as the granddaughter of immigrants. I'm here as a member of a union. I am also here as a mother. And as a mother, I am outraged. So I wanted to do what I do in my day job, which is read other people's words. I want to read the words of another mother whose son was held in immigration detention center. The names have been changed, but the words are hers. They're taken from an affidavit.

'My name is Margarita. I am the mother of Carlos who is currently being held by the Office of refugee resettlement in a detention center in Portland, Oregon. The first time I realized that Carlos had arrived in the United States was when I received a voicemail from him and which he told me he was being held in Kansas City. When I spoke with Carlos, I felt like my soul had returned to my body. I had spent nights without sleep searching and searching for my son without knowing where he was. A torture, day by day.

The case manager explained to me that he was going to send me some forms to apply to be my son's sponsor, and he asked me for many documents. I was also given a home check. The investigator assured me that in a week they would have results, and that for the new year they would surely give me my son. I got so excited I even brought some Christmas presents for my son. I have them, still wrapped, with Christmas wrapping paper. The give me deep sorrow every time I see them.

First they tell you that in a few weeks you will have your child, then in a month then in another month, but they never fulfill their promises. With such delay, I have asked myself, what am I doing wrong? Have I not sent everything they asked for me? I want them to at least allow me to see him one day, if for a while. What mother would not want to have her son in her arms. If only for a moment.'

I want you to keep this mother and all of these families in your heart. This is about politics, but this is about people. So you keep this struggle close in your heart, and you stay strong for her, and you stay strong for you, and we'll stay strong for each other. God bless you. I love you."

Tagged

abolish ICE

cadman plaza

ICE

keep families together

kerry washington

original

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE arts-entertainment

Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.

Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 16, 2026

Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?

We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.

Elizabeth Shwe

and

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?

We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.

Elizabeth Shwe

and

James Ramsay

How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years

Hannah Frishberg

A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson

Sonia Rao

The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?

Lindsay Lee Wallace

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .