No human being is illegal

By Maria Karagianni and Stacey E. Williams

Photo by Stacey E. Williams

NEW YORK – In one of the most culturally diverse and historically immigrant populated cities in the world, hundreds of protesters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan on Thursday, July 29 in protest of Arizona's SB 1070 Bill, which came into effect the same day, although US District Judge Susan Bolton blocked the section of the law requiring local and state law enforcement officials to check immigration status of those they suspect to be undocumented.

Demonstrators as well as dozens of organizations representing religious institutions, labour groups and immigrants' rights groups in the "We are ALL Arizona" march made their way towards the Brooklyn Bridge early Thursday morning – a fitting gesture considering the historic landmark was actually designed by a German immigrant.

"New York wants to show that it is behind immigrants all around the country," said Alina Das, a marshal for the event. She further emphasized that people need to unite to fight against deportation rather than allowing small groups of people to legislate hate and racism.

Photo by Stacey E. Williams

While there is no movement to make a similar law in New York, many want to make sure it never happens.

"The law SB 1070 is going to be enacted even though the judge has ordered an injunction on some parts of the law," said Rev. Gilford Monrose of C.U.S.H. (Churches United to Save and Heal.) "So today we wanted to do something dynamic to show that we stand in solidarity with those in Arizona and also as a sign that if New York City would try to move in that direction that the people will come out in numbers to defeat that bill."

Photo by Stacey E. Williams

Despite the appearance of a few counter-protesters in favor of SB 1070, immigrants and their backers made sure they were heard loud and clear with their chants, such as "Obama, Listen! We want reform!"

Likewise, others in Arizona, Los Angeles and Mexico took to the streets in protest of SB 1070.

Photo by Stacey E. Williams

Organizers of the event said their platform included: 1) a call for an end to SB 1070 and the proliferation of copycat legislation now surfacing in over 20 states; (2) a call for an end to the use of racial profiling; (3) a demand for just and humane immigration reform that upholds family unity and human rights over increased enforcement; and (4) a call for an end to related programs such as 287(g), Criminal Alien Program, and Secure Communities (now in NY State) that use local law enforcement to tear families apart.

Photo by Stacey E. Williams

After crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, the group of protesters met in front of City Hall in Manhattan's Foley Square where testimonials were heard from day labourers, victims of deportation and City Councilman Jumaane D. Williams (D-45).

Diego Ortiz, of the pro-immigrant organization Wind of the Spirit, pointed out that every U.S. citizen has an ancestor who immigrated into the country sometime in the past and that America would not be as important and powerful without immigrants. He added that everyone should have the opportunity to make a better life.

"No human being is illegal."