Austin rallies for immigrants

ON MAY 5, a multi-ethnic, but mostly Latino group of about 350 gathered on the steps of the state Capitol in Austin, Texas, for a rally and march for immigrant rights.

Organized by the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, the rally began with an impromptu speech in Spanish and in English describing the demands of the march: an end to deportations, accountable border enforcement, family unity and a fair pathway to citizenship.

The buoyant crowd proceeded down Congress Avenue for the main rally at Austin City Hall with vigorous and spirited chants ranging from "¡Sí se puede!" (Yes we can!) "¡No somos terroristas, no somos criminales, somos trabajadores internacionales!" (We are not terrorists, we are not criminals, we are international workers!) to the occasional English chant of "Don't give in to racist fear, immigrants are welcome here!"

The march route shut down southbound Congress Avenue, but almost all of the traffic passing to the left that honked was in support, with raised fists and thumbs up. People waved from the windows of local businesses along the route. There were a few individuals that expressed their opposition along the way, but they were vastly outnumbered by those expressing support.

The rally at City Hall had various speakers from the immigrant rights community, such as a speaker from Texans United for Families speaking out against the Hutto, Texas, detention center and a woman whose father had been deported this past February. Overall, it was an impressive turnout for immigrant rights.