Dozens of people came together for an evening of wine, music, and solidarity at Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants' (DUFI) "Families Belong Together" event on Thursday, August 6.

Held at Aquila's Nest Vineyards, the event served as a way for people to enjoy food and live music over conversation with "neighbors who care about taking care of each other and building a safe community for everyone," according to organizers.

DUFI is a collective of local immigrant community leaders, Danbury immigrant-led organizations, and allies committed to working together to build the power of and to protect Danbury’s immigrant community.

Juan Fonseca Tapia, an organizer and co-founder of DUFI, said the event is a way for people to support the organization as much as it is to build community, to create a moment where people can come together.

"I think that, now more than ever, we have to figure out ways to build relationships, to be in community with one another," Fonseca Tapia said. "One of the ways that we fight against the [United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement] system is through finding community, finding joy, and building relationships with people."

The event acted as a fundraiser for DUFI, in addition to being a moment where people could come together. The group sold shirts, bags, bracelets, and buttons, with proceeds supporting the group's helpline, canvassing materials, infrastructure costs, and community education work. This educational work includes printing fliers and know-your-rights cards, providing food for the group's know-your-rights workgroups, and supplies for its family preparation workshops.

The venue's indoor tasting room had informational standees on many of its tables, with some featuring details about DUFI and its upcoming events.

Other standees included a link to the event's silent auction, which featured items from local businesses and artists. Available items at the silent auction included a college application mentor service; a framed, signed copy of "Coastal Landscape" by William John Whittemore, 1888; gift baskets; a two-hour poetry workshop; a handmade woolen poncho; a cutting board; many pieces of original art; and more.

Each adult ticket for the event included one glass of wine and one meal voucher. People grabbed themselves a glass of their favorite wine before stepping outside and ordering something to eat from one of two food trucks.

As people talked amongst themselves inside, they enjoyed music from featured performers kiarakalts and ZOP.

Cheryl Panosian served as the emcee for the event and introduced each performer and speaker before they took the floor. Before she passed off the mic, Panosian wanted to share a few words.

She said while it has been a challenging time over the last several months, one of the things that has helped her is DUFI. It was through this group Panosian said she met some amazing people who are dedicated, creative, smart, and brave, and that they inspire her every day.

"I have been appalled by the actions of this government, the criminal use of our tax dollars, and the daily dehumanizing rhetoric from our country’s most powerful leaders," Panosian said. "For me, Greater Danbury Area Unites for Immigrants is my lifeline to hope."

She passed off the microphone to Fonseca Tapia, who told the crowd one of the things that keeps him going "is all of you."

He added, "I think that being in relationships with one another, being able to spend time together with other people that are fighting to hold on to our collective humanity, that feeds our souls. And I think that again, now more than ever, it's important for us to find those spaces and create those spaces."

One of the tactics that fascism uses, Fonseca Tapia said, is isolating people.

"When people feel alone, what they are carrying feels heavier," Fonseca Tapia continued. "And when we are together, that weight feels a little bit lighter ... So I am extremely grateful for all of you, for all the work that we do."

Karen Hunter, who has been a member of DUFI since February of 2025, spoke next. She said that they have seen ICE become more violent over time across the country, getting more aggressive towards not only immigrants, but the bystanders and the people who are watching and filming them.

Hunter also shared some of DUFI's experience working with families who decided they did not want to take a chance with the law and left the country. One of these stories was about a mother and two children; the mother's partner had been deported back to their home country, and she could not stay in America any longer because she could not afford to stay alone.

The family had a cat, which they were not able to take with them.

"And in her culture, their pets are their family members," Hunter explained.

Hunter said she and her husband went to the mother's apartment and watched her go into the bedroom, as the cat had given birth in her closet a few weeks ago. The mother scooped up the four kittens, brought them out, and started to cry.

"And she took each kitten, kissed it, and said, 'Sorry,' before putting them into the carrier. 'Sorry. Sorry.' And by the time she was done, she was sobbing. I was crying. My husband was even crying, and she just hugged me for a while and sobbed," Hunter said.

She realized, in a moment like that, in that apartment, all that those families have to leave behind. Hunter said she wondered what is the purpose of these people leaving the country, when they came to make a better life for themselves.

Hunter shared that she still keeps in touch with the mother, adding that it is heartbreaking to see what is happening to the country. She encouraged people to try to volunteer, and do what they can to make things a little bit better.

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Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.