Around 25 vehicles driven by migrants left this Friday, December 1, from the Logan neighborhood of San Diego towards Los Angeles, with the goal of reaching Texas after visiting several cities, demanding immigration reform and a boycott against the state’s anti-immigrant laws. Texan.
“We are calling for a boycott against Texas for its anti-immigrant laws and proposals and calling for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Luis Vega, president of The Democratic Voice from San Diego, one of the leaders participating in the caravan which they have called “We are all Texas“.
“These discriminatory measures not only threaten fundamental rights but also go against the principles of equity and justice that we all defend,” said Vega.
This same Friday, December 1, the protesters arrived in Los Angeles, where they will remain all weekend to participate in several meetings and will hold a press conference on Monday, December 4 in front of the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Placita Olvera at 5 in the morning.
On Monday they will leave for the Coachella Valley, and then leave for Phoenix, Arizona, where in the afternoon they will hold a demonstration at the Capitol; and they will continue to Tucson where they will also carry out a demonstration.
They are planned to arrive in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Tuesday, December 5; on Wednesday, December 6 to San Antonio and Houston, Texas; and the motorcade will conclude at the state capitol in Austin, Texas, on December 7.
“People are positive and happy. We want to go to the Texas governor’s office to express our rejection of his anti-immigrant laws. We cannot allow Texas and Florida to pass laws that attack our community, and because migration is a federal issue that the states cannot decide on,” said Vega.
SB 4 will make it a misdemeanor in Texas to illegally cross the border from Mexico into Texas, empower its police officers to arrest undocumented immigrants, and require a state judge to order people to leave the United States for Mexico. instead of prosecuting them.
A part of said law was already signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott at the end of November, making it one of the most radical anti-immigrant laws ever approved by the legislature. This law was promoted by groups linked to White Supremacy and Neo-Nazism.
SB 4, which takes effect in February, threatens humanitarian workers and family members of undocumented immigrants with harsh criminal penalties, essentially punishing those caught transporting immigrants or sheltering them.
Vega said that this measure in Texas is very similar to the one that was approved in Arizona more than a decade ago, SB 1070, which was later struck down by the Supreme Court.
“In the case of the Texas SB 4 law, several organizations such as LULAC and different unions are already ready to sue because the federal level is the only one that can decide on migration,” he noted.
He indicated that these types of laws cannot be allowed in Texas and Florida and they have to stop them.
“If we allow it, soon other laws against immigrants will follow, as may already happen in the state of Kansas. We must prevent this cancer from continuing to advance and seek immigration reform.”
He added that racists always seek to attack migrant communities.
“We are upset with the Republican governors but also with the Democrats. President Biden promised us a reform in the first 100 days of his administration and he is now in his fourth year without delivering. Not to mention that he already spent 8 years with Obama. Democrats need to stop being hypocrites.”
Vega said the caravan “We are all Texas” emerges as a symbol of unwavering support for his migrant brothers and sisters.
“We will not allow racism to divide our Texas family. We urge our leaders to take concrete steps to promote inclusive and fair policies, respecting human rights and recognizing the invaluable contribution of immigrants to the nation.”
He added that together they will resist any attempt to close doors to hope and progress.
It is expected that in each city they reach, more people will join to participate in the caravan “We are all Texas“.