Huge Immigrants Rights March in Santa Barbara

The marchers were enthusiastic and hopeful that the proposed oppressive legislation would be overturned. With chants of “Si Se Puede” (It can be done!) and “La jente unido, jamas sera vencido”, (the people united, will never be defeated) there was continuous energy on the downtown thoroughfare. Shoppers waved in support for their cause. It was certainly the largest crowd of demonstrators this reporter has seen in 30 years of living here.

This immigration march was synched up to marches occuring in major cities of the US and California. Most feel that since this country is made up of immigrants, that this legistation is especially oppressive, and racially prejudiced against Hipanic workers at this particular time.

A similar bill is being introduced in the U.S. Senate by Republican leader Bill Frist. It will be debated in the Senate starting on March 27th

HR 4437:
Criminizes over 12 million undocumented immigrants requiring jail time.
Authorizes the use of local police and the U.S. military to serve as immigration agents.
-Spends hundreds of millions of dollars to build an enormous wall across our southern boarder.
-Makes assistance to immigrants by churches, charities, employers, and even family members felonies.

There is no provision in these bills for undocumented immigrants to apply for green cards or to ever become citizens. Immigration laws need reforming, but racist scapegoating of our immigrant community is a despicable and hypocritical means of diverting attention from the policy failures and unpopularity of the Bush policies.

Immigrant rights organizations and communities of faith throughout the country are united against HR 4437 and will are participating in these demonstrations throughout the country.

Father Adalberto Blanco spoke at the Rally in Alameda Park:
“We ask God to help us and try to do our best to make it happen.When we do that we are testing our faith tht can move mountains. This is the faith of our people; this is our unity, this is an effor that will get us what we wantl, which is justice. This country's final recognition has to be for the work and efforts of immigants, and sacrifice of the immgrants. So I am here as a member of the clergy, of the church with many other followers of different churches. With God on our side we will be victorious.”

Salud Carbajal, 1st District Supervisor:
“Once again, we have to count the many contributions that Mexican people and other immigrants have made to this country. That's enough, isn't it? (The crowd yells - “Enough already!”)

“This type of legislation and these type of people are really not trying to reform the theme of immigration, but are trying to divide us from our community.”

Miriam Alverez, age 16, from San Marcos High school also spoke:
“I am against HR4437 because it is unjust that the government would even consider passing a law that would oppress our Latin community, which is the group of people who work the hardest jobs yet work the hardest. And not only that but the young students who are not born here, but who have the desire to continue their studies do not have the same opportunities and help to continue their studies.

“No on HR 4437!”


To take action on this issue.

Call and email our senators today to register your opposition to these bills and to urge them to support a humane immigration reform bill that will enable immigrants to earn the right to become citizens.

CALL and email our representatives in California
Senator Feinstein: (202-224-3031) http://feinstein.senate.gov/email.html (Senator Boxer (202-224-3553) http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm
White House Comment Line- 202-456-1111

Write Letters to the Editor expressing your opposition HR 4437 and to promote our message of justice and dignity for immigrants.


Santa Barbara News Press- voices [at] newspress.com
Santa Barbara Independent- letters [at] independent.com
Goleta Valley Voice- vvoice [at] goletavalleyvoice.com
Carpinteria
Santa Maria Times- http://www.santamariatimes.com (send through website- click letters/editor link)

If you live outside Santa Barbara, find out who your representatives are.