The executive director of the Hudson Valley Community Coalition and two New York City council members were among 16 people arrested in a civil disobedience action today at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, to press federal officials on immigration reform. It’s the first of three actions planned on consecutive Mondays. NY1 has a video report.

Here is a statement on behalf of those arrested, according to the New York Immigration Coalition. Betsy Palmieri, of the community coalition, is one of the 16 who signed the joint statement.

“Being conscientiously of opinion that our current immigration laws betray our core principles of democracy, inclusiveness and justice; that they allow for Arizona’s immoral and unconstitutional SB1070; and that their continued enforcement through detention and deportation separates families and destroys communities; we are compelled to escalate our call for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the face of inaction from our nation’s elected representatives.

“Today we stand in solidarity with the millions who contribute to our communities and economy while being denied full access to them.  Our act of civil disobedience is performed with the belief that our laws can—and should—be better, and that our nation’s leaders cannot stand on the sidelines as our society’s core values are betrayed by a broken and immoral immigration system.

“We invite the enforcement of the law upon ourselves in the hope that our arrest today will be the catalyst for principled leadership from the President and Congress and for meaningful Comprehensive Immigration Reform that will put an end to the arrests and other mistreatments faced by our friends, families, congregations, and communities.”

Bishop Orlando Findlayter, Chair, Churches United to Save and Heal

New York City Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, District 10

New York City Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams, District 45

SJ Jung, Board President, Minkwon Center for Community Action, Steering Committee Member of the NYS Immigration Reform Campaign

Deycy Avitia, Director of Advocacy and Organizing, New York Immigration Coalition

Lisa Sharon Harper, Executive Director, New York Faith and Justice, Steering Committee Member of the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform

Rev. Arnold Thomas, Minister with Education, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, The Riverside Church

Rev. Ian White Maher, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens

Betsy Palmieri, Executive Director, Hudson Valley Community Coalition, Steering Committee Member of the NYS Immigration Reform Campaign and the NYS Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform

Susan Julia, New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City

Estela Vazquez, Executive Vice President, SEIU 1199

Denise Allegretti, SEIU 1199

Katerenthia Green, SEIU 1199

Mariah Kercado, SEIU 1199

Anna Evet Ortiz, SEIU 1199

Jeremy Wilson, SEIU 1199