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Event urges folks to fast, pray for families impacted by immigration laws

Posted at 9:15 PM, Mar 08, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-08 23:15:01-05

SALT LAKE CITY – An organization that is traveling across the country and encouraging people to fast on behalf of immigrant families during Lent was in Salt Lake City Saturday.

Members of Fast for Families Across America were at the Episcopal Church Center, 75 South 200 East, at noon, and the stop was part of their national bus tour that will span more than 14,000 miles.

Rudy Lopez is advocating for immigration reform, and he has fasted for 22 days while listening to and sharing the stories of families separated by borders.

Lopez, who has had only water during his fast, said the issue is one he has personal experience with.

"My cousin Martin who crossed the desert with the help of a human smuggler, got sick along the way and was abandoned,” Lopez said. “Ten days later, they found his body on the property of a ranch. My cousin died cold, hungry, and alone. And over 400 people each year meet that same fate."

Lopez and others are asking people to join with them by fasting and praying every Wednesday during the month of Lent. Visit the organization's website for more information.