Immigrant Rally Draws Large Community Support

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – An ensemble of vividly colored country’s flags wavered, as signs bearing concise and emphatic messages, aimed at immigrant rights could be seen proudly hoisted outside of the Newburgh Courthouse last Monday afternoon while support funneled in with drivers honking horns and people passing by chanting approval.

The inscriptions on the hand-crafted signs revealed personal stories, riddled with fear, discrimination, unwarranted hatred and a loss of critical human rights. They were being lifted in support of the Nationwide Day without Immigration Campaign which garnered further support by the day’s closing of some City of Newburgh Hispanic and Latino-operated businesses. The messages included; “America was built on the backs of immigrants,” “There are no illegals on stolen land,” “Immigrants make America great,” “My parents are not criminals,” and “keep families here,” were just some of the many words that could be seen on these signs that not only united people taking place in this coordinated, peaceful rally and march, but also was intent on sending a strong message centered upon a refusal to tolerate the present, unpredictable and unsettling conditions confronting many immigrants.

“I’m here today to lend support and respect for all immigrants,” said City of Newburgh resident, Valentina Gonzalez. In this country, when certain people see Hispanic faces, they automatically assume bad things, and it’s not the majority of the people that are that way, nor is it fair, as so many of us are hard workers, such as the farm workers, who if they are sent back, the work just is not going to get done.”

Gonzalez, like so many surrounding her outside of the Courthouse, is concerned about some of the new policies being enforced by the United States’ Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement (ICE), who many present referred to as cruel, discriminating actions, involving hastily and inhumanely “rounding up” unsuspecting “victims,” assumed to be illegal immigrants or those with malicious intent in this country and having them deported to their native lands. It’s those very fear-inducing actions-ones profoundly felt by communities like Newburgh- possessing large Hispanic and Latino populations- that were the catalyst for the organizer’s intent of holding the rally and ensuing solidarity march down Broadway. He did not want to be identified by name, but was not to be denied his passionate feelings given voice.

“We are all angry about I.C.E being involved and separating families; we are being categorized as criminals, and in reality are hard-working people who came to America for a better future, but are being treated unfairly for how we look,” the event’s organizer explained. “We are doing this for unity and for our voices to be heard, as well as to stop being harassed, because its immigrants who add to diversity and help make America great.”

For many on hand, the potency of the contributions of immigrants runs deep, particularly in their families. Since so many of those trailblazers who helped carve the way for this generation were unable to attend due to their age, a sickness or other reason, a large showing of young people were on hand, providing a voice for them.

“We are here as a new generation coming out to speak for those who can’t; I’m here with my daughter today to speak up for my parents who are scared of everything going on with I.C.E. and the hatred being shown,” said City of Newburgh resident, Sharon Solis, age 28, who was joined by her 12 year old daughter, Juliet. “We are hoping people realize no one is an immigrant; we are the same, equal.”

The event also drew the support of several local political dignitaries, including, City of Newburgh Council Member, Giselle Martinez, and City of Newburgh resident and Orange County Legislator, Genesis Ramos, whose parents immigrated to this country from Honduras, a pivotal piece of her upbringing and ongoing journey, laden with the rewards of hard work, determination and a vision of-belief in a better tomorrow.

“This issue is deeply personal, as I’m the daughter of proud, Honduran immigrants and recognize the bravery it takes to leave everything you know to come to a new country; my parents did that,” said Ramos, proudly displaying the blue and white Honduras flag. “I support all immigrants, whether legal or not, as they have constitutional rights.” She added, “Although I was born and raised here, I will never forget all that my parents went through to come here and make a life; I wouldn’t be who I am without where I came from.”