Protesting how immigrants in the U.S. are detained, John Legend and Juanes sang “Redemption Song” this week outside the Eloy Detention Center, a privately-run facility in Arizona.
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The stop was the first in Legend’s #FREEAMERICA campaign and listening tour focused on immigration and mass incarceration issues.
Though Juanes and Legend couldn’t perform inside Eloy Detention Center, some of the detainees were able to see them from inside the facility.
Legend and Juanes took a tour of the facility and met with Puente Arizona and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which has been speaking out against conditions and treatment of immigrants who are detained.
After the tour the two musicians met with friends and family of Leticia Vásquez Lopez and Laura Gabriela Fernandez Gomez, who are being detained at Eloy.
“Many have fled desperate situations in their home countries where they fear for their lives,” Legend said in a statement. “Surely this country of immigrants can figure out a smarter, more humane way to accommodate those who want to come here.”
The concert was inspired by NDLON’s “Chant Down The Walls” street concert series outside immigrant detention centers.
