Protesters march on Benson

By Sarah Yokubaitis

"Si, se puede" was the rally call Monday as Santa Clara students, faculty and staff joined with protestors across the nation against upcoming immigration legislation.

Over 200 people attended the walkout, which was a part of the "Day Without Immigrants," a national day of protest designed to put pressure on legislators currently debating immigration reforms that include possible criminalization of illegal immigrants.

"It's important for students to stand up for whose who do not have a voice," senior Gariety Pruitt said. "The political system is not just for people who can vote."

Throughout California, hundreds of thousands marched to support the roughly 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States.

At Santa Clara, protestors joined together in the free speech zone between Shapell Lounge and the bookstore outside Benson Memorial Center.

"We don't see them as criminals, but as hardworking people who came here to get a better life," junior Maria Ochoa said. "Just because we're immigrants doesn't mean we're not equal."

Ochoa said her views on immigration were shaped by her personal experience, as her parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico.

Students were encouraged to walk out of class at 12:30 p.m. to attend the rally, as the majority of those who voiced their opinions at the rally were students and faculty. The rally lasted from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

One student, however, was protesting for a different cause.

While most waved signs saying, "respect all" and "we are Americans," his read, "you bastards are ruining my birthday."

His counter-protest received only stares from onlookers, while a few protesters stood beside him and waved their signs next to his.

Monday's rally was centered around House Immigration Bill HR 4437, the controversial immigration legislation which passed in the House and is scheduled for debate in the Senate next week.

It is the latest in a month-long string of rallies and marches across the nation against the upcoming legislation.

While Bon Appetit employees were contractually prohibited from walking out Monday, many came to the rally while on break.

Garciela Ramirez emigrated from Mexico and has been a U.S. citizen for 26 years. She has worked in Market Square for 17 years.

"I feel happy for the support, for all of these students," she said. "It's better for people to come here to work for a better life."

Lucia Varona, a Spanish professor in the Modern Languages Department and immigrant from Guatemala, spoke at the rally.

"I want students to feel, not just learn," Varona said. "Walkouts have that impact -- it's not just to learn, but to feel."

While Campus Safety was on hand, the mood of the crowd was energetic and passionate, rather than restive. As the rally came to a close, students played drums and talked.

"This whole protest, this whole movement, has been non-violent," sophomore James Hanold said in an address to the crowd. "I challenge you to not see any group as the enemy. Injustice is the enemy. Keep your thoughts positive."

Walkout organizers were pleased by the turnout. "I'm really proud of our school, of everyone," organizer Nina Jenkins of Santa Clara Community Action Program said.

Many students in attendance who chose not to speak at the rally still had strong views on the immigration issue.

"I believe the U.S. is founded on immigration. This is something I feel passionate about," sophomore Kelly Ongman said. "Immigrants should not be criminals."

James Suggette, a 2004 graduate from Santa Clara, returned to campus for the rally. "This national day of action transcends borders," he said. "The people all over the world are coming together to say that those who were never listened to before have a voice now."

Some students and staff had personal reasons to protest the bill, like freshman Gerson Sandoval, who is the child of immigrants.

"The main reason we're here is to prove that we do need immigrants," he said.

Unity RLC Resident Minister Matt Smith said he was encouraged to attend the walkout because of his own experiences with illegal immigration.

On a spring break immersion trip, Smith met with undocumented workers who had recently crossed the border and took part in the large Los Angeles rallies last month.

"It was a real human connection to the issue," Smith said. It was an expression of solidarity."

Juliana Cummings also attended the protests in Los Angeles as part of the same immersion trip. "We saw how powerful it was when people show up," she said. "It shows the interest people have against this bill."

For some faculty members, the May 1 rally was the continuance of a long history of political action.

"I am proud that many of my students are here," said political science professor Jane Curry, a civil rights activist in the 1970s. "This is an issue not just for immigrants, but for all in this community, if we stand for social justice." .

University staff joined the walkout for a variety of different issues. Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions Miranda Niemoth attended the rally because of her experience with the human side of immigration.

"We have students at Santa Clara that are undocumented," Niemoth said. "This really hits home. This affects our Santa Clara community."

Contact Sarah Yokubaitis at (408) 554-4546 or syokubaitis@scu.edu.