As reports, some false, continue around the country of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, people from Yuma County gathered on Sunday to speak out against the fear in Latino and immigrant communities over the threat of mass deportations.
They participated in a peaceful walk in solidarity against deportations. They held signs with messages including “Fight Ignorance Not Immigrants”, “Immigrants Make America Great” and “Criminals are in the White House not in the fields”.
Geouvanni Ramirez of San Luis led chants through a bullhorn at the corner of 4th Avenue and 16th Street. He said Latinos around the country were raising their voices against unfair immigration enforcement.
“The reason I’m here today is because I’m an immigrant," Ramirez told KAWC. "I’m against all the laws Trump wants to have for us. I don’t think it’s fair to deport everybody. There are different ways the situation can be solved. So I’m here because I’m with my people.”
Sunday’s gathering came together and was organized by Luisa Arreola of San Luis, Mayra Valdovinos of Yuma and Fada Rodriguez of Somerton. A post online before the event called for a “peaceful walk in solidarity against deportations of our people’ and calling on participants to “be the voice of those who cannot speak”.
“I’m here to support immigrants, our people and our community because we are the majority," Arreola said. "We can’t be afraid. We can’t let these tactics scare us to not come out here.”
Participants were of all ages. Lenitza Felix is a student at Yuma High School and said she walked for her friends, some of whom are undocumented.
“I’m here because I don’t support Trump and the way he’s handling things," Felix said. "I’m here because I’m Mexican and I support Mexicans. I think we should be fighting for our rights… (at school) I hear some people making fun of us. I hear my friends that are scared. I hear people talking about it saying they don’t think this is right.”
A second walk against deportations was held Wednesday night in Yuma, this time at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 24th Street. The sentiments in support of migrants and against deportations was the same.
There were at least two Yuma police officers who showed up on scene but a participant said it was to remind participants to stay on the sidewalk for their safety.
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Stay tuned to KAWC for more from Sunday's peaceful walk in Yuma in solidarity against deportations.
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