An Arizona church known for feeding migrants now says the city is blocking its work
NPRAn Arizona church known for feeding migrants now says the city is blocking its work Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Manuel Castro Jose Manuel Castro For the past 23 years, Gethsemani Baptist Church in San Luis, Ariz., made it its mission to offer food to anyone who wanted it. Sponsor Message The suit alleges that starting in 2022, the city of San Luis grew hostile over the church's food ministry, accusing the church of violating zoning laws by its use of a semi-truck to load and unload donations. Enlarge this image toggle caption Jose Manuel Castro Jose Manuel Castro Castro, who is originally from Mexico and moved to San Luis to start a Spanish-speaking church, said he and his staff not only provided food and blankets to migrants, but often also answered questions from newly arrived migrants like, what state they were in, when would they be able to contact their families, and about the immigration process. Sponsor Message Police and a city enforcer showed up at the church to fine the pastor, suit says The city of San Luis had long supported the church's food ministry, but that all changed in 2022 with the election of Riedel as mayor, according to the lawsuit.