Athens residents rally against Trump’s immigration policies
Hundreds of Athens residents and students from the University of Georgia gathered together in downtown Athens on Feb. 6 to protest President Donald Trump and his administration’s immigration policies. Demonstrators began the protest by marching from the Arch to Athens City Hall while carrying signs with a variety of messages in opposition to Trump’s immigration policies.
The Hispanic Student Association at UGA, the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, Dignidad Immigrante En Athens, United Campus Works of Georgia, and the UGA chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America were some of the organizations represented.
During the march to City Hall, attendees shouted “si se puede (yes it’s possible)” and carried the flags of countries such as Guatemala and Mexico. Protesters held signs with messages like “Fight ignorance, not immigrants,” “No one is illegal on stolen land” and “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”
“It was encouraging to see so many people out at the protest,” Kimberly Olvera, a freshman at Cedar Shoals High School, said. “It was a good experience to be able to use my voice to advocate for my loved ones.”
Protesters who spoke emphasized the constant fear experienced by families due to immigration policies and that undocumented family members are scared to go to work despite committing no crimes. In addition, speakers also acknowledged the hard work and contributions of immigrants and asserted that they deserve better treatment and respect.
Counter-protestors were also present expressing their own beliefs, arguing that immigrants should leave the United States because they don’t belong here. However, everything remained peaceful.
Marylin De la Cruz, a UGA alumni, spoke at the protest and highlighted her personal story of being surrounded by immigrants, living in Mexico City for the last nine years and the impact immigrants have on her life.
“It brings genuine tears to me to see every one of you, not only supporting the immigrant community but banding together without (taking in accountability your) race, religion, creed, and making esta lucha tu lucha (making this fight your fight) De La Cruz said at the protest. “Unidos jamas seremos vencidos (Together we will never be overdue).”
Chavez, an Athens resident, also spoke and discussed the importance of making a difference being the voice of the people.
“I want to talk to the people who are the first generation, wherever your parents came from, you’re the first generation. I want to tell you it’s up to you to make a difference, I want to tell you this big opportunity to make a big change for our community, state, and country,” Chavez said at the protest. “I want you guys to thank your parents for taking the risk to come to this country. Some of them had to cross a river and mountains and they did it because they wanted you to have a better future.”
Sofia Delgado, an Athens resident, also stressed the importance of knowing your rights to individuals who are non-U.S. citizens at the end of the protest.
On Trump’s first day of office, he issued multiple executive orders covering immigration-related policies. One of the executive orders attempts to end birthright citizenship for future children born to mothers who are in the United States unlawfully. The other executive orders from Trump ended the CBP One program and intended to end parole programs for Cubans, Haitians, Nicarguans, and Venezuelans.
