Dominican Immigrants in protests in the United States

Numerous coalitions and organizations working for the protection of immigrant rights made preparations this Monday, April 10th, for the largest movement in the history of the United States. Millions of people in 75 American cities came together to protest against a wide-reaching immigration reform regarding the status of all those without papers. 

In New York, thousands of Latinos, Asians and Europeans participated in a great march, taking place in Manhattan, and all along Broadway, from City Hall. A large number of immigrants and people confirming their support for the fight were there until 3pm in the streets, chanting and raising their voices in unison with phrases like “Yes you can!” “Yes you can!” “United we stand” “We are America”, among many others.

Those present at the march mobilized to all the counties of New York, including crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot where some were already coming with their placards and their songs. 

Dominican immigrants living in New York city were an important part of the demonstration. Dominican flags fluttered side by side with those from Mexico, Salvador and Honduras, together with the thousands of American flags.

The object of the demonstration was to show support for the rights of immigrants. The messages read, “We are not criminals, we are workers”, “Amnesty. Full rights for immigrants”, “Today we march, tomorrow we vote”, “ A world without borders”, etc. It is an effort by the immigrant community in the United States to influence the immigration policies of this Administration. 

During the march they distributed flyers urging both the immigrant communities in the United States as well as their family and relations in their country of origin to take part in the “Grand Halt Day” in the 1st of May: A day without immigrants”, in which they intend to demonstrate the powerful effect of the united community against the American immigration policy, saying “NO” to work, school, sales or purchase of American products on that day. This strike is being organized by the organizers of the historic protest in Los Angeles on the 25th of March 2006.

For more information about the demonstration, consult the following websites:

www.april10.org
www.answercoalition.org
www.fairimmigration.org

Date of Publication: 12th of April 2006