LOS ANGELES — The physicians of Los Angeles + USC Medical Center weren't inside for their normal rounds on Nov. 14. They were outside on the front steps, holding a rally in support of undocumented children and families, who make up a large part of their patients.
Dr. Mohamed Raad and Dr. Aslam Khan were the main facilitators of the rally, along with Apolonio “Polo” Morales from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles. All three spoke passionately about ensuring they provide a safe space for those who are made to feel unwelcome everywhere else.
This rally was inspired by 10-year-old Rosa Maria Hernandez's detainment in Corpus Christi, Texas in October. She was being rushed to the hospital for emergency gallbladder surgery when she and her cousin were stopped at a checkpoint and later followed to the hospital. The immigration officers sat beside her hospital bed, ready to cart her off after treatment because she was undocumented.