Reem Assil, the owner of Reem’s Bakery in San Francisco, has always envisioned her establishment as a sanctuary for those who’ve had to leave their homes.
The Palestinian and Syrian entrepreneur expressed her sentiments during an event honoring immigrants at City Hall, highlighting how crucial sanctuary spaces are during challenging times when communities are facing threats.
Amid her speech, the atmosphere outside City Hall was charged, with demonstrators rallying in protest of the recent actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Last week alone, ICE officials detained at least 20 individuals in San Francisco, including young children, despite the city’s reputation as a sanctuary city.
These circumstances were made all the more poignant as Assil was among eight recipients recognized by the San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission for her leadership and contributions to the immigrant community.
As Assil addressed the audience, demonstrators on the front steps of City Hall voiced their opposition to President Donald Trump’s travel ban affecting predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries.
Just a few miles away, protests escalated in Mission District, where approximately 2,000 individuals marched, chanting in defiance of ICE operations.
Inside City Hall, the climate was markedly different.
Performances included a drummer from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and an exhibition titled “Mass Sanctuaries” featured a collection of photos and art curated by Acción Latina, an organization dedicated to cultural programming.
Guests savored food and drinks while enjoying the celebratory atmosphere, providing a moment of respite amidst the surrounding unrest.
Mouneissa Wangara, one of the event honorees who works with the Language Access Network, expressed the significance of the event, stating, “I needed this event,” as she reflected on her own journey as an immigrant from Mali.
The ceremony coincided with the start of Immigrant Heritage Month in San Francisco, yet recent news concerning ICE arrests cast a shadow over the celebration.
Juanita MORE!, a drag queen honoree, noted the somber climate surrounding the festivities, acknowledging, “It’s a hard and heavy time to be celebrated.”
One group acknowledged during the ceremony was the San Francisco Rapid Response Network.
This organization operates a hotline that connects detained immigrants with legal support, particularly in light of recent ICE detentions.
Thais Siqueira, a program manager for the network, spoke out against the intimidation tactics, declaring, “What’s happening is wrong and it’s meant to intimidate and isolate, but we refuse to be silent.”
Valeria Suarez, another honoree, encouraged attendees to participate in the protests afterward, urging them to “be out on the streets” to continue advocating for immigrant rights.
At the protest, most of the staff from El Tecolote, a bilingual news outlet, were covering the event.
Imelda Carrasco, executive director of Acción Latina, accepted an award on behalf of El Tecolote, affirming their commitment to support immigrant communities, especially during these turbulent times.
Elected officials from San Francisco also made appearances, with several Board of Supervisors members, City Attorney David Chiu, and Mayor Daniel Lurie reiterating their dedication to the immigrant community.
However, some honorees utilized the occasion to address pressing issues affecting immigrants.
Amy Dai, awarded as a grassroots leader for her efforts to assist low-income immigrant families in securing housing, raised concerns over the proposed budget cuts from the mayor’s office.
Despite feeling honored, Dai highlighted the precarious future of her programs at the Chinatown Community Development Center, which may face zero funding.
“Now more than ever,” she stated emphatically, “we need to speak up and let the mayor and supervisors know why this program matters.”
The event encapsulated the duality of celebration and urgency, as San Francisco continues to navigate the complexities of immigrant rights amidst systemic challenges.
image source from：https://missionlocal.org/2025/06/amid-ice-arrests-s-f-immigrants-honored-at-city-hall-for-civic-contributions/
