BY ALLAN WALTERS — Prior to the public hearing on March 1, a rally promoting “sanctuary city” status for Hyattsville kicked off at Robert J. King Memorial Park on Gallatin Street. The rally, organized by the local chapter of Not On Our Watch, attracted approximately 60 supporters. Participants listened to speakers — including Councilmember Patrick Paschall (Ward 3), who sponsored the ordinance — and filled out comment cards describing their support for the ordinance; these cards were delivered to the city council at the hearing. The group walked to the hearing, many carrying signs in support of the ordinance and chanting “¡Si, se puede [Yes, we can]!” They were the largest group at the hearing and asserted their presence with loud clapping whenever a speaker voiced agreement with their views.
