Religious leaders, refugees call for unity at ‘Peaceful Stand Together' gathering
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Religious leaders in Baton Rouge came together to speak about immigration.
'How can you say you love God if you don't love your neighbor that you see?' asked L.O.R.I. Communications Director Sharon Njie.
That question hung in the air Tuesday as religious leaders and community members gathered for the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants' (LORI) 'Peaceful Stand Together' event — a day of storytelling, open dialogue, and reflection amid mounting global and national tensions over immigration.
Held in Baton Rouge, the event brought together representatives from Christian, Catholic, Muslim, and other faith communities, who took part in a public panel discussion about the moral imperatives of their traditions in the face of current crises, including immigration raids and refugee displacement.
'Everyone needs to stand together and come together in unity and know that we need to live by the words of God: love thy neighbor as you will love yourself,' said L.O.R.I. Policy Associate Tia Fields, echoing the day's central theme of unity over division.
The message resonated deeply with Njie, a migrant who fled political turmoil in her home country.
'I've lost families,' she said. 'If I look back home, all I see are graves. I came into this country with no family, but the families I have are the people standing next to me.'
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations continue in cities like Los Angeles, President Donald Trump has defended his administration's stance on immigration, pointing to national security and economic concerns.
'Very simply, we will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again,' Trump said earlier this week. 'It's happening very quickly.'
But those at the Louisiana gathering offered a different vision — one grounded in empathy, justice, and inclusion.
'There are so many challenges that we face in this world,' said Fields. 'I think now is the time — more than ever — to open our doors, not close them.'
Each faith leader emphasized a shared moral calling: to see the humanity in every person and to stand with the marginalized. The stories shared ranged from personal loss and migration to acts of community service and solidarity.
'And I still try to ensure that I give back to this community,' Njie said. 'Not just giving back in the work I do on a local level, but also on a national level.'
For attendees, the gathering was more than an event — it was a call to action. A reminder that compassion, not fear, should guide public policy and personal conviction.
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