Peaceful demonstrations a good sign
The Oh Really Factor
Maurice O. Ndole |
WHILE THE EFFECTS of “A Day without an Immigrant” cannot be easily determined, the historic event was a great example of a successful and efficient protest.
In a world where sports rivalries have caused violent riots and party revelers gone out of control during spring break and where riots over cartoons have caused deaths and millions of dollars in lost property, it was pleasant to see the blending of charged speeches and calm in the actions of May 1 protestors.
The protests brought out one of the largest crowds ever seen at Fresno State in at least five years. Speaker after speaker gave a fiery speech about the purpose of the demonstrations much to the delight of the audience, which conducted itself with dignity and respect.
It was clear the purpose of the protest was not to disrupt lives or take advantage of the situation to damage property but discuss issues affecting the immigrant community. In fact at no point of the protests and its fiery speeches did the situation seem about to get out of control.
Fresno State business major Robert Babcock summarized the situation well in his brief speech. “Do you guys think you’re making a difference?”— Yes, the crowd responded—“I’m a white conservative and I think you are,” Babcock replied after a short but dramatic pause that seemed like an eternity. “My ancestors came over on a boat when a potato famine was starving Ireland,” Babcock told the crowd, “When they got here, there was a big welcome mat laid out for them called Ellis Island. All they had to do was show up.”
His brief speech was a sobering summary of the double standards applied on the immigrants crossing the border illegally. There are no more welcome mats for immigrants; just vigilantes and minutemen waiting to arrest and deport them back to the poverty they’re running away from.
America can find a solution to this situation without upsetting the economy or making enemies out of people contributing so immensely to our society. We just need an open mind to see the merits of each side’s arguments and provide solutions that work.
Every nation has a right to enforce its borders and while boycotts and protests are not the best way of expressing dissatisfaction, the peaceful nature of the immigrants’ protests proves they do not harbor evil intentions.
Watching the protestors marching peacefully on the streets brought to my mind an image of an upset but decent neighbor.
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