Dozens walked inside Pilgrim St. Luke's church on Richmond Avenue Sunday afternoon for a taste of the tacos they know so well. Tacos made by some of the Buffalo 25 members, like Jose Antonio Ramos, who used to work at La Divina Mexican Store. That's until the popular restaurant, and three others were raided by federal agents looking for undocumented workers back in October.
"None of us can work because we're affected," said Ramos in Spanish. It has been translated to reflect what he said. "More than anything, I feel sad and desperate, not knowing when all of this will be over."
Ramos say sit's been a long three months without a job.
"We're people who have always wanted to succeed, thank God," he said. "We're thankful for the support, and we also want to show that we can still work."
So they took the matter into their own hands, doing what they know best: cooking Mexican food. With that, they've ben raising money, with at least one fundraiser a month.
"People here have really helped us out," said Ramos. "I feel happy because it's something we didn't expect. But I see that Buffalo is very united, and there's not too much discrimination."
He's referring to people like Ekrem Sergar who's been to every fundraiser so far.
"The larger fight is very important but we have to make sure the fight at home is fought too," said Sergar. "We have to look out for each other."
And Louisa Fletcher-Pacheco, who's Mexican-American, and wanted to help the group.
"I grew up with a lot of different people that surrounded me, that did not cross the border but were treated as such," said Fletcher-Pacheco. "So it's an important issue to me."
The money the group raised from people like Fletcher-Pacheco, helps pay for their rent, food, and utilities.
"I want to make sure we're doing all we can to show we're the City of Good Neighbors," said Fletcher-Pacheco. "A country of good neighbors!"
To read / watch in Spanish clickhere.
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