The Community Marches in Solidarity

Unfortunately, the big news around the Old Pueblo was the return of the Minutemen Militia to the area. They've moved their klan kamp over to Three Points this year instead of the Tombstone area, I'm sure the Tohono O'odham are thrilled to have these vigilantes at their doorstep. Not!

I used the word 'unfortunate' above because the real headline for the weekend was the march and rally held on Sunday that was probably the largest in the history of Tucson. Celebrating the legacy of Cesar Chavez, and protesting the egregious bills hell-bent on demonizing immigrants, roughly 10,000 people followed the march leaders, Dolores Huerta and Congressman Raul Grijalva, down the streets of the City of South Tucson and the southside of Tucson (there's a difference).

"Because of your walkout, now in the U.S. Senate they are talking about legalization," said keynote speaker Dolores Huerta, a co-founder with Chávez of the United Farm Workers.

Chávez died in 1993. Friday would have been his 79th birthday.

Wearing a red UFW T-shirt and speaking in Spanish and English, Huerta called for more demonstrations to "put the pressure on the racist Republicans" among Republicans in Congress.

She also criticized Arizona's Proposition 200, saying its supporters forget "we are one human race."

Huerta and other speakers recalled Chávez's campaigns to have all people treated with dignity and respect. Those included fasting and marching from Yuma to Flagstaff while registering people to vote.

"Above all, he showed us there was a human worth in every individual," said Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz.

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Why does this all sound familiar? It's because the protesting and marching have continued to grow over the past month. This is not something that will die out easily. People's lives and livelihood are on the line, the House has already given its thumbs-up to HR4437. Those attending the marches and rallies are taking a stand for human rights and I am proud to stand with them.