I arrived in Washington, D.C. late Sunday to cover a rally in support of undocumented immigrant youth at the Capitol building Monday. Donald Trump gave Congress until March 5th to act on permanent protections to replace the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program he ended last September. The Republican Congress, being the Republican Congress, hasn’t passed anything. And Donald Trump, being Donald Trump, has sabotaged numerous bipartisan plans.
So it was important for me to go to D.C. not just to cover the rally, talk to some of the brave people fighting for the bipartisan DREAM Act, and advocate for action from Congress, but because this is personal to me. While I’m not an immigrant, I’m a son and brother of immigrants. My mother taught me that even with all its faults, this nation is a blessing. She taught me to be thankful for it’s opportunities and promise. Here, we could have a chance. We have, and I don’t believe in closing the door behind me.
As soon as I got within earshot of the rally site near the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the roar of voices chanting in unison made me grin. Rallies can be more than actions and public displays of support or displeasure. They can serve as places to renew energy and share spaces of commonality. When you run into activist friends you haven’t seen in a while and hug, nothing needs to be said. We all know what we’re going through. And, it feels fucking good to yell out the frustrations.
At the rally, I got to talk to Ingrid, an activist and an undocumented mom of two DACA recipients. I’d remembered her face from previous actions and approached her. She was warm and generous, and while concerned about her kids and many of the young people at the rally, she remained hopeful. She and many other immigrant parents, the original Dreamers, made sacrifices to be here and they’re not about to give up. She had hope, and wanted to share that hope with others. She gave me hope, too.
What about you? Do you have a favorite political rally you’ve attended, or a memorable rally that stuck out in your head?
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