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We Keep Us Safe: Sanctuary Movements Past and Present with Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Dr. Lloyd Barba, and Cinthya Santos-Briones

05.30.2026
2:00 pm–6:00 pm

2 PM: Teach-in with Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
3 PM: Break for refreshments
4:30 PM: Presentations and discussion with Cinthya Santos Briones and Dr. Lloyd Barba

 

Who do we turn to for our safety? Can we create sanctuary within our communities? Part one of the We Keep Us Safe series brings together artist Cynthia Santos Briones, community organizer Abraham Paulos, and historian Dr. Lloyd Barba to reflect on the legacies and present day realities of sanctuary movements in the U.S., and the potential of community-centered actions for immigrant safety. 

 

First, Abraham Paulos, Deputy Director of Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) will lead a teach-in exploring how Black communities in New York City are already building sanctuary and mutual support for one another while examining the limitations of traditional sanctuary practices. Participants will also learn Know Your Rights basics and gain practical guidance on how friends and neighbors can provide meaningful material support to those most impacted.

 

Then, historian Dr. Lloyd Barba and artist Cinthya Santos Briones will share their work, grounding us in the history of the sanctuary movement in the U.S. during the 1980s, which was led by networks of faith based institutions to protect and support refugees fleeing civil war in Central American countries including El Salvador and Guatemala. Barba and Santos Briones also highlight the resurgence of these movements over the last two decades, which has expanded to include migrants from across the globe and the community strategies implemented to keep them safe.

 

Free and open to the public at CTHQ.

 

Entry
CTHQ is located on the 7th Floor of 59 East 4th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The building entrance has no steps and elevator access is provided directly to CTHQ.
Service animals are welcome.

Restrooms
One ADA accessible, all-gender restroom is located inside CTHQ.