Leave it to alternative media to cover the big march in Austin in which 3,000 protested Debbie Riddle and the Republican Party’s anti-Latino bills which have been submitted during the legislative session.
The Texas Tribune caught a quote from one of our local State Reps:
State Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, told protestors on Tuesday that he was once asked by a reporter why the immigration rallies didn’t draw crowds the sizes of other movements. “It’s because they are all out there working,” he told the crowd, which took up its “Si Se Puede” chant in response to the lawmaker’s comments. “They are out in the fields, in the restaurants.”
Added state Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth: “You are here to say ‘no’ to the most racist session of the Texas Legislature in a quarter of a century.”
So true. Reminds me of voting trends in South Texas back in the 70s. The Democratic Primary would be held in late spring, so migrant farm workers who were heading up north to work the fields didn’t get to vote. Yes, always working. We had an excuse for not voting back then, huh?
The Texas Observer covered the march, too.
“There are some very unlikely allies here,” said Adriana Cadena, coordinator for The Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance, “but we’re all here because we’re saying Texas can do better when it comes to immigration. The legislation being considered today is bad for our families, bad for our economy and bad for our overall security.”
Cadena, who was largely responsible for organizing the rally, recognized that protests like these may not change the minds of lawmakers. “But this is just one day,” she said. “Our role is to facilitate a process that people can participate in for the long term. I promise there is more to come.”
Nice job, Adriana!
The march got a mention in the Statesman’s Virtual Capitol.
State Sen. José Rodríguez, D-El Paso, was among the lawmakers who spoke to the crowd. Switching between English and Spanish, he said the state’s leaders have misguided priorities.
Texas officials should focus on more important matters than the emergency item that Gov. Rick Perry has fast-tracked to eliminate “sanctuary city” policies that prevent police from asking about immigration status, Rodríguez said.
The senator also criticized a bill that would have school officials ask about immigration status and one that would deny benefits to children of people in the country illegally.
“We won’t stand for this type of legislation,” he told the cheering crowd.
Local activist, Cesar Espinosa of FIEL, tweeted: “Only the beginning!”
I see an opportunity for coalitions of interest here. I see a march for one thing, another march for another thing. I sure hope something can get organized that brings everyone together.
We’re all on the defensive, aren’t we?
