March for Justice for Carlos

WHAT:
March for Justice for Carlos is a peaceful community march and rally demanding justice, accountability, and the return home of Carlos Bonilla, a beloved Chambersburg community member who was wrongfully deported without a hearing. https://mobilize.us/s/Vip1mD 

WHEN:
Saturday, December 20 at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
March begins: E. McKinley St. and 6^th St., Chambersburg, PA 17201 (on the sidewalk between 6^th and Middle Streets)
Route: Passing Carlos’s workplaces and traveling along major transportation routes 11 & 30
Rally & conclusion: Courthouse Plaza (courthouse and town square)

PARKING & ACCESS:

• Participants are asked to remain on sidewalks and public areas
• Please observe all parking signage on streets and surrounding lots
• Walk with us to Courthouse Plaza or meet us there

This march is a grassroots effort coordinated by a group of concerned citizens. It is not sponsored by or affiliated with any organization.

WHY THIS MATTERS

This march represents the journey so many immigrants take in search of safety, opportunity, and the American Dream. As the march passes by Carlos’s employers, the community will honor the essential, often unseen labor immigrants contribute every day—supporting schools, community centers, and the local economy.

The march will conclude at the courthouse to highlight the injustice Carlos, and countless other law-abiding immigrants, have endured: denial of due process, dignity, and basic fairness.

This is a call for visibility, accountability, and solidarity. Our community is walking together to say clearly: Chambersburg stands for justice, humanity, and bringing Carlos home.

You cannot disappear a hardworking, caring, contributing member of our community without people taking notice. Being working class does not make one a criminal. Justice for Carlos.

BACKGROUND

Carlos Bonilla is a devoted father and grandfather, custodian at Falling Spring Elementary, YMCA employee, and a deeply respected neighbor. He has lived in the United States since the 1990s and in Chambersburg for more than 20 years. Carlos was a legal non-citizen who followed immigration requirements, held a Pennsylvania Real ID, had a U.S. Social Security number for work, and passed required background checks. He has no criminal record.

On Black Friday, during a routine immigration follow-up, Carlos was detained by ICE. He was transferred through multiple detention facilities across several states under inhumane conditions and deported without a hearing on December 9. He was left in Nogales, Mexico with almost nothing, without access to his diabetes medication or medical care. He has since traveled to Guadalajara to stay with family while awaiting care.

Carlos deeply misses his daughter and grandson and the children at Falling Spring Elementary, whom he loved helping. His story is not unique—and that injustice demands a response.

CALL TO ACTION

To Elected Officials: We implore our elected officials to stand with us and help bring Carlos home to Chambersburg, PA.

To the General Public:

• Sign the petition: https://c.org/FJYxVLkt97
• Contact elected officials: https://bit.ly/4j2roKT
• Support Carlos’s legal and medical costs:
  www.gofundme.com/f/support-carlos-bonillas-stay-in-our-community
• Spread the word!
• Join us to march December 20: https://mobilize.us/s/Vip1mD