Resident tackles immigration issues

By Quinn Allen-Wardell
Staff Writer

December 06, 2008 05:25 am

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One local woman's story is causing many people to think critically not just of our immigration policies, but of our nation's ethical responsibilities as well.

Margery Leach of Gloucester has published "Sanctuary in Phoenix: A Narrative History of the Valley Religious Task Force on Central America and its Role in the Sanctuary Movement in Phoenix from 1981-1998."

In the book, Leach describes in detail the efforts of a group from Phoenix aimed toward helping Latin American refugees escape from their war-torn countries.

"If you see a person suffering and asking for help," Leach said, "what do you do? Do you sit by and watch the person suffer, or do you give a helping hand? These were difficult questions that many people in our country were thinking about during the '90s. Our group, the Valley Religious Task Force, had a definite answer."

Leach wintered in Phoenix for almost a decade, and documented all the cases she witnessed. When she finally moved back to Gloucester in January 2006 she read over her old stories, and decided to compile them into a book.

"I started to see articles about the issues I faced, in Phoenix, popping up all over the news, and I instantly thought of the Task Force," she said. "I knew I had to publish my book."

"Sanctuary in Phoenix" will be on sale today during the Christmas Fair, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle St. in Gloucester. All proceeds from the book go to the Trinity Congregational Women's Scholarship Fund.

Leach hopes her book will generate a lot of hype, and urges people to take these issues seriously.

"(Immigration issues) are still reoccurring problems that aren't addressed nearly as much as they should be," she said. "Avoiding this situation will only worsen it, and we cannot afford to let that happen."

Copies of "Sanctuary in Phoenix" may be ordered for $10.50 by sending a check to:

Margery Leach, Harvest Publications,

179 Western Ave.,

Gloucester, MA 01930

IF YOU GO

What: Christmas Fair

When: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. today

Where: Trinity Congregational Church, 70 Middle St.