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Hundreds expected to protest separation of families at the border

BOSTON — The tearing apart of families at the U.S.- Mexico border has ignited fierce backlash across New England.

Several lawmakers have since spoken out against the Trump's administration's new policy aimed at curbing illegal immigration, calling the practice 'cruel and inhumane.'

Outraged, hundreds are planning on rallying against the immigration policy in front of the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday morning.

According to Facebook, as many as 600 people said they were participating in Wednesday's rally.

Organizers say they want to send a message to Washington, one that states very clearly that they are not siding with the current administration's decision to handle this issue.

"This is a moment that matters in our country and it's an opportunity to take a stand for what is right," said Marion Davis, a member of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

The Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition has been on the front lines of immigration issues for the past several months.

Davis says that, once the impactful images of children sobbing as they parents get patted down at the border or of the conditions these children are being kept at, support and outrage flowed in like never before.

"I think this has really moved people in Massachusetts to say 'enough is enough, this is obscene, this is completely unacceptable, what can we do?'" said Davis.

The protest is expected to draw in hundreds of people at the State House steps to fight against the Trump administration's separation of families at the border.

"We all know the law doesn't require officers to do that, we all know that," said Damaris Velasquez.

Velasquez is a local immigrant who is expected to speak at the rally. She hopes elected officials will hear what she has to say.

"They're going to make history, either the good or the bad side where they listen to what the community is saying and to what is inhumane," said Velasquez. "Or they'll be on the wrong side of history where we remember in November when we vote."

Even those in the President's own political party are voicing their concerns over the policy.

"Republicans and democrats should find a way to get something done so we aren't a country that tears children away from their moms and dads," said Governor Baker.

On Tuesday, Attorney General Maura Healey joined dozens of other attorneys general in asking the administration to end family separations.

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