Demanding a place
Their passion-filled voices could be heard blocks away.
“Justicia!” cried the crowd as they marched through downtown Spokane on Thursday. “Ahora!”
Justice, they demanded in Spanish. Now.
As part of a wave of demonstrations that has swept the country this month, more than 200 people in Spokane hit the streets to stand up for the rights of immigrants.
“We are human beings,” Enrique Lopez yelled into a megaphone as people gathered at Riverfront Park’s Clocktower. “We’re not aliens. We’re not from outer space.”
Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd, which included people who waved both U.S. and Mexican flags. “We demand respect,” declared some of the signs. “Your grandparents were immigrants.” “Immigrants are not criminals – I love America.”
A few of the messages were written in other languages, including Spanish and Japanese.
“This isn’t just a Latino or Hispanic issue,” said Courtney Susemiehl, whose sign stated “America Cannot Exist Without Immigrants” in English and Russian.
Three days after New York, Seattle and other cities across the country observed “National Day of Action” by bringing together tens of thousands to rally for immigration rights, Spokane had a march of its own.
Thursday’s crowd was nowhere close to the 25,000 that flocked to downtown Seattle on Monday or the 2,000 that gathered in Yakima earlier this month, but many who came still exuded a zeal that emboldened others around them.
“It wasn’t that long ago when the Irish made up the largest number of illegal immigrants,” said Elaine Tyre, who’s Irish American. “It breaks my heart to see us turning our heads to what this country was founded on.”
Activists are urging lawmakers to help an estimated 11 million immigrants settle legally in the United States. Their protests are in response to debate in Congress. A bill recently passed by the House would criminalize undocumented workers, punish their employers and build a wall along the border to Mexico. A broader overhaul of immigration law stalled in the Senate last week.
“I would be considered a criminal for helping my family members,” said Ruben Hernandez, a native of Mexico who is now a U.S. citizen.
Hernandez and the roughly 30 members of Eastern Washington University’s MEChA – Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán – organized Thursday’s march. Although he and others took part in protests in Yakima, Walla Walla and other cities, they were hesitant to stage an event in Spokane.
“It’s a lot more conservative here,” said Vanessa Alviso, an EWU freshman majoring in sociology and history. “But there’s this growing movement and deep inside, we knew we needed to do something in Spokane.”
Thursday’s gathering began with a rally at Riverfront Park, followed by a march through downtown to the U.S. Courthouse on Riverside Avenue. It started with fewer than 100 people, but quickly swelled to nearly 250 as the crowd grew louder with each step.
“El pueblo, unido,” they chanted. “Jamas sera vencido.” The people, united, will never be defeated.
The gathering was relatively peaceful despite the presence of a few detractors along the way.
“Speak English and get that thing off your face,” a man waving a large American flag yelled out to Lopez, who was wearing a black bandanna over part of his face as a symbol for the way he and other Latinos have been silenced over the years.
Several people surrounded the man and tried to silence him by screaming, “Si, Se Puede!” Yes, we can!
“OK, people, we are here in solidarity and peace,” Victor H. Rodriguez, another EWU student, cried into his megaphone as he tried to calm the crowd. “We have to ignore them and focus. We’re not here to respond to this.”
Dan Hansen, who came to challenge the protestors, said he doesn’t have a problem with Hispanics. In fact, he has many Mexican friends, he said. He’s simply frustrated with the growing numbers of illegal workers and the people who continue to hire them. “If you’re here illegally, you need to go home,” he told the protesters.
Later, as marchers stood in front of the U.S. Courthouse, several people – including state Sen. Lisa Brown – thanked people for their participation and urged them to fight for justice.
“If we’re going to say, ‘Immigrants, leave,’ maybe we should have started with Christopher Columbus,” said Ruth Silverthorne, who’s Native American.
David Brookbank, a Spokane activist, also offered his support: “You are my brothers and sisters,” he said, addressing everyone who was there. “You are my fellow citizens.”