The Wake

A cold Sunday afternoon finds the normally bustling Lake Street barren. Several blocks between Bloomington and Chicago Avenues are blocked off from normal traffic by police but the beating of drums seem to pull pedestrians from all directions to a crowd that is gathered in front of the Chicago-Lake Liquor store. Here in the shadow of the restored Sears building is a symbol of hope for economic change that citizens from all walks of life have gathered to support—to demand a change for immigrants’ rights.

The March For Immigrants’ Rights, held on Sunday, Feb. 12, was meant to promote “immigrant dignity” and “the right to live and work like all human beings.” The march was organized by “a large coalition representing faith groups, labor unions, lawyers, schools” and other organizations including the university student group LaRaza. Speakers included members of the Latino, Muslim, American Indian communities and a Rabbi representing the Jewish community, who said, “There is no security for anyone in our society if those on the margin are at risk.”

Following the speakers, the march commenced down Lake Street, led by colorful Aztec Cuauhtemoc dancers. Those in the crowd held signs stating “No human being is illegal” and “Whatever happened to the American Dream?” One woman, holding a sign that read “You need our papas as much as we do,” said that her reasons for marching were simple. “When people work here they have the right to be here,” she said. “Let supply and demand determine when [the flow of immigrant workers] stops.”

LaRaza’s presence and support of the march represented its community connection, according to Martha Ockenfels-Martinez, the intercultural center representative of the student group. In addition to monetary donations and help with the advertising, members of LaRaza were also in the march holding up artwork with phrases like “Civil Rights” printed across them.

“Immigration is a big issue,” Ockenfels-Martinez said. “It affects our families, it affects our friends, [the march] was a natural fit.”

The organizers of the march are hoping for change in legislation on both national and state levels. In particular, at a local educational level, the Minnesota DREAM Act, one of several bills that focus on immigration reform, would change the current requirement that undocumented students must pay out-of-state tuition rates when attending public post-secondary institutions. In addition to the inability to receive federal and state financial aid, undocumented students are also ineligible for merit-based scholarships because such scholarships require proof of citizenship.

“Some of our brightest students can not attend Minnesota colleges,” Okecenfels-Martinez said.

In addition, Governor Pawlenty is proposing legislation that “follows a similar track as other states who have passed anti-immigration bills,” Ockenfels-Martinez said. One such bill, according to Ockenfels-Martinez, would grant police officers the rights of an immigration officer, a traditionally federal role. This would result in an increased fear of the police by most immigrants, making it less likely that they would report a crime.

“We must make it safer for those who can report a crime no matter what their immigration status is,” Ockecenfels-Martinez said.

According to the members of LaRaza who had attended the march, the event appeared to be a success. “The community support of the march was amazing,” Oceknfels-Martinez said. “So many different people from so many different factions of life showed up in support.” LaRaza encourages those who are interested to contact them for further information about community meetings that concentrate on building grassroots movements.

Whether the march itself will lead directly to comprehensive immigration reform is not apparent, but the ability to stop a busy thoroughfare with many people rich with diversity carries a message of its own, among the English and Spanish billboards lining Lake Street. Ockenfels-Martinez adds, “An injustice to one is an injustice to all.”