April 13, 2006

Thousands march for immigrants in San Jose

As millions protest across the U.S., San Jose has largest march

By Daniel DeBolt
Staff Writer

In what some are calling the biggest march in San Jose history, an estimated 25,000 people marched from King and Story roads in San Jose to city hall on Monday to protest an immigration bill that has divided the country.

25,000 marchers protest immigration reform bill H.R. 4437. Below: The marchers at the intersection of 101 and Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose. Photos by Daniel DeBolt

Two million people in states across the country reportedly marched to protest H.R. 4437, a proposed bill that would change immigration policy. The San Jose march was also reported to be the largest in the state, compared to 10,000 marching in Los Angeles.

For Javier G., a student at Latino College Preparatory academy in San Jose, the issues raised by H.R. 4437 could mean his family would be torn apart. His parents are illegal immigrants and he’s already thought about what would happen if they were to be deported if H.R 4437 were to pass in its proposed form. He and his family are willing to separate themselves in the pursuit of the American dream—he would go into a foster home.

Javier was at the event marching with 200 other students from his school, with many of their teachers by their side. At one point during the march the crowd stretched down Santa Clara Street from City Hall to King Road, a distance of over 35 blocks. At King and Story a banner read “honor our contributions.” American flags easily outnumbered any other flag or sign in the crowd.

The documented and undocumented marched together. A 27-year-old truck driver and non-citizen, David Reyes, may have been in disagreement with many of the marchers when he said citizenship is a privilege you have to work for. But participating in the protest was one way of working toward it.

“It’s good when you work for something, you appreciate it more,” Reyes said.

Maria Granados, 60, was once an undocumented immigrant. She was marching with her son, Oscar, who is studying for his doctorate degree in engineering.

“I’m here because before I got my documents someone marched for me,” she said

Before the march Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez addressed the crowd, saying that the march had the support of 6 of the 10 city council members of San Jose including Forest Williams, Dave Cortese, Nancy Pyle, Madison Nguyen and Ken Yeager.

After performances and speeches where the march was called a “holy march” and the claim was made that there was a real social movement in the making, marchers made their way onto King Road for the long march to City Hall. Traffic was blocked off and police and volunteers made sure people stayed on one side of the street. Groups sang chants, usually in Spanish. A group of youth shouted what translated to, “we’re here, we’re here, and if they kick us out we won’t go away.”

The biggest surprise to Chris Lepe, a member of the immigrant rights group, Comit? Cesar Chavez, was how little fear there was among illegal immigrants who were trying to stay out of public view only months earlier for fear of raids by “La Migra.” The popular shopping center at King and Story, Tropicana Plaza, was noticeably empty a few months ago while radio reports of possible raids by immigration services were heard in the area. Many marchers see the protests as possibly one of their last chances to have their voices heard, Lepe said.

Latino College Preparatory Academy student Javier G. marches knowing his parents could be deported with the passage of H.R. 4437.

Many youth found out about the marches on the popular social networking Web site, MySpace.com, Lepe said. There are efforts to organize youth on MySpace.com for another march to be held on May first.

One of those youth is Luis Carrillo, a freshman at Evergreen Valley College. His parents came from Guadelajara, Mexico. He identified with the message found on many picket signs that read “we want a better future for our children.” He was emotional when he talked, and said he was there to learn about the issues.

“They are saying that Mexican immigrants are a burden on society. But it’s not our people, its how the government is handling them,” he said.

In March the San Jose city council voted unanimously to oppose H.R. 4437, which would make it a felony to be in the country illegally. The county board of supervisors also passed a resolution against the bill. H.R. 4437 would make it a crime to help any of the country’s 12 million illegal immigrants in any way, which would effect churches and other charities and possibly even neighbors of immigrants who offer favors, such as watching their children.

Just before the U.S. senate left last week for Easter vacation, relieved representatives from both the Democratic and Republican parties came up with a compromise bill called the Martinez-Hagel bill that would establish a guest worker program and allow up to 10 million immigrants future citizenship. Those who have been in the country less than two years would have to return to their home country. Employers of illegal immigrants would receive stiffer fines, and 12,000 border patrol agents would be added over the next five years. The Martinez-Hagel bill is reportedly headed toward the Senate.