Yesterday We Marched, Today We Vote?
How the Immigrants Rights Movement is Relating to the 2008 Elections
Story Isabel Gonzalez // Photo by Liz Gonzalez
With the elections quickly approaching, its seems like everywhere you look, someone is talking about the who the next president will be. Being from a family of immigrants, where some of my family members are unable to vote, these elections are not the main political topic within our household, what is discussed is the immigrant rights movement and where its heading. At home, only my sister, my mom and I can vote, and we are all at odds as to whom we are going to vote for.
They last time my family discussed politics this much was during the historic immigrants rights marches. We all marched on May 1st , and I marched because I felt that it was time for us to send a message to those in power, that all people who are living in the United Sates and who contribute to this country deserve all the rights and privileges that US born citizens have. With the elections a few months away, I know that I have a duty to vote for the most adequate person in regards to immigration rights, but at the moment the only thing I know of the candidates are their gender and race. I feel that the candidates purposefully stay away from this topic because it benefits people who are unable to vote, and those with voting power don't want immigrants to have rights. Although we are heading into a historic moment in time, many of those who marched are not publicly involved in the process, because no matter the outcome of the elections, the movement for immigrant rights must go on, and will be up to us to determine.
And whether Barack, Hilary, or whoever are paying attention or not, our planning for immigrants rights goes on. I happened to listen to a conversation some people from Voluntaries Para la Communidad, an organization made up of immigrants who were instrumental in the mass marches, and they were discussing the next move that people should take in regards to the immigrant rights movement. Even though our state is about to be taken over by Super Tuesday, the elections was not the main focus of their conversation. It was as if the elections didn't exist.
During the marches I heard lots of people saying that Òtoday we march, tomorrow we vote.Ó And now those who can, are going to vote. But even if we vote, who says we are going to vote for the same person? Just like other groups of people, the immigrant population have different views, and live in different situations that effect who they want to vote for. The only common thread is that they are immigrants and that they feel that all immigrants receive equal rights.
The one thing for sure the immigrant rights movement can count on, is itself. We know that by sticking together is how we are going to be heard, and that is the only way to have our elected officials do what we ask. Whoever the next president is going to be must be aware of the power of the immigrant community because we are not going to go away and be quiet like in the past, we have learned that we can make a difference and that our voices will be heard even if we can not all vote.
