Janmashtami Immigration Town Hall and Community Gathering in Ozone Park
HfHR’s Vrinda Jagota
On Saturday, August 16, Hindus for Human Rights joined with Shri Shakti Mariammaa Temple in Ozone Park to mark Janmashtami in a way that wove together devotion, justice, and solidarity. Rather than being only a ritual celebration, the gathering became a space where faith met urgent conversations about immigrant rights, community care, and support across traditions.
One of the most moving moments came when Pandit Manoj from Shanti Bhavan Mandir spoke about the meaning of Janmashtami and offered his support to Shri Shakti Mariammaa Temple. His presence reflected a rare and powerful inter-mandir solidarity, a reminder of the bridges that can be built when communities stand with one another.
The event also created space for urgent and practical conversations. Partners from the Muslim Community Network and the NYC Commission on Human Rights led “Know Your Rights” trainings, offering guidance on how to protect oneself from ICE and how to report hate crimes. These sessions gave attendees the concrete tools that are often missing when institutions fail immigrant families. Building on that theme, Sherry from DRUM led a pivotal conversation on community care, exploring how people can support one another when the systems around them fall short.
Voices of resilience and hope carried the evening forward. Aminta from South Queens Women’s March shared a personal and moving story about why families must be kept together, a testimony that spoke to the heart of everyone in the room. She closed her remarks by singing, her voice filling the space with both strength and tenderness, and reminding us that music can carry a community into joy and reflection.
The Muslim Community Network and the NYC Commission on Human Rights led “Know Your Rights” trainings
The temple community added its own touch of care by serving a delicious vegan meal—possibly lo mein—which turned the gathering into not only a space of learning and solidarity but also one of hospitality and nourishment.
At its heart, Janmashtami tells the story of Krishna’s birth under tyranny, a story about resilience, joy, and justice. Bringing that spirit into Ozone Park meant more than observing a holiday—it meant standing with immigrant families, sharing tools to protect one another, and affirming that solidarity across faiths and communities is our strongest defense against fear and division.
