We Are One America:

photo by Renato Rotolo

By Cathy Holt

On May first, historically a day when American workers demonstrated for the right to an 8-hour workday, Latino immigrants in cities all over the US took to the streets to protest the immigration bill recently passed by the Senate and to call for fair treatment for immigrants.

In Asheville,
1500-2000 people marched from St. Lawrence Basilica, past the Federal
Building and on to Pack Square for a rally with speakers and music.
Some came from as far away as Morganton and Cherokee. At the same time,
Latinos nationwide were observing a general strike: neither going to
work nor school, neither buying nor selling anything for that day.

“Illegal aliens have always been a problem in this country‚Äîask any Indian,” quipped one of the speakers. Althea Gonzalez was mistress of ceremonies, and every speech was given in both Spanish and English. She thanked everyone who had taken off work or school to attend the march, and then informed the crowd of some somber news: a Latino 8th grader from another city who had helped organize a march in his school was told by a school official that his mother would have to go to jail as a result; in desperation, the thirteen-year-old killed himself.

Rev. Russell Hilliard of Black Mountain, a longtime advocate for WNC\’s Latino community, gave the opening prayer and later a poem which read in part: “We cut your lettuce, harvest your beans, grow your tomatoes… We pick your apples, oranges, and tangerines… We give our fingers, arms and backs to your machines… You still call us the illegals… We clean your toilets, we pay taxes… We\’re a problem for your conscience.”

photo by Renato Rotolo

Dwight Mullen of UNCA extended a welcome from the African American community. “UNCA needs you and doesn\’t know it; the USA needs you, and doesn\’t know it.” Elder John Hayes, President of the Asheville NAACP said, “I greet you on behalf of the most feared and revered civil rights organization‚Äîthe NAACP,” and proclaimed: “People of the world come in all colors.” He urged, “Say to America: “We\’re also Americans!\’”

Speaking on behalf of Bruce Gardner, he stated that the NAACP calls for comprehensive immigration reform without criminalizing the undocumented, and treatment of all with respect and dignity. Genuine reform should allow people to earn the right of citizenship. Quoting Frederic Douglas, he said, “If there is no struggle, there\’s no progress.”

City Councilwoman Robin Cape declared that the Bush administration is waging war on immigration, not seeing the complexities of the situation. “This is one world, we live or die together,” she said. “I have two kids and dream they\’ll grow up in a peaceful world. It\’s not about good guys and bad guys, insiders and outsiders because we speak a different language. We all have the same dreams for our kids. It\’s time to quit blaming one another, and start working together.”

Oscar Sanchez of Mexico, a student at UNCA, said, “We are not beggars, but radiant human beings with the future in our hands. We\’ll face it as one with faith and pride. We deserve a place here.” Other speakers included Oscar Santana, a Mexican laborer, and Victor Verde, also of Mexico. Said Verde: “I\’ve never seen such a march with so many from our countries! Our crime is being workers wanting to make progress. That makes us very dangerous!”

The spirited crowd, which included many small children and their parents, waved American flags and bore signs such as “No human being is illegal,” “Freedom has no borders,” “We\’re not criminals,” “Love thy neighbor,” “Today we march, tomorrow we vote,” “Somos una America” (We are one America).

Chants rang out, the familiar “Si se puede” (Yes we can) and “El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido,” (The people united will never be defeated) and some new ones: “Bush, escucha! Estamos en la lucha!” (Bush, listen! We are in a struggle!) and “No son los criminales! Son trabajadores!” (We are not criminals! We are workers!) Hundreds signed petitions calling for immigration reform.

A group of volunteer security marshals kept everything in good order, and hundreds of “Know your rights” flyers in English and Spanish advised people of what to do in the event of arrest. The peaceful protesters were met with one small group of counter-demonstrators, but there were no incidents.

All faces turned skyward as a flock of snowy white doves was released and flew as one towards their home.

Gustavo Silva, a member of COLA and Afro-tina and owner of Silva Tile, said after the rally: “We demonstrated because we love this country and want to be part of the society, and we are. Latinos are important to the economy! We spend $8 billion per year in North Carolina, we buy homes, we work hard. People need to understand that immigration is nothing new; it has happened all over this planet for the past 20,000 years.

This country is based on immigration of people seeking a better life. How can we have a global economy without global immigration? The International Monetary Fund\’s policies favor a few, but hurt millions of people. People leave out of necessity to feed their families. We are all looking for peace, love, and kindness. We are one community, we are one planet.”