As many of you know, over 1,500 students marched in Arlington last week to protest harsh proposed immigration legislation in Congress. According to the Connection Newspapers:
A week of student demonstrations culminated in a massive show of solidarity with Arlington+óGé¼Gäós immigrant community, as the teenagers walked from Ballston to Courthouse waving flags from Central and South American countries and chanting "we are not criminals," and "equal rights."
At the rally, Arlington County Board Chairman Chirs Zimmerman addressed the students, saying:
It+óGé¼Gäós great to see that in Arlington in 2006, the first amendment is alive and well. It+óGé¼Gäós great to see a new generation exercise its right to assemble, its right to free speech and right to tell the government what you think.
Stirring words, no doubt; Zimmerman's an excellent public speaker and a great leader. But on Wednesday night at the Arlington County Democrats meeting, Zimmerman topped himself, with one of the best speeches I've heard in a long time. Unfortunately, I didn't record it, and apparently the speech was not written out, so here are a few phrases I jotted down. I hope I got them right, but others who were at the meeting, please correct me if I'm wrong.
*"Immigrants are being used as scapegoats in a political contest."
*"[Anti-immigrant legislation] is a mean spirited and cynical political tactic."
*"The Republicans are attacking people who are looking for work."
*Anti-immigrant legislation is nothing better than "explicit bigotry under the respectable cover of legality."
*"Classifying a whole group of people as illegal is a choice" that Republicans are making, not a necessity.
*"Look at France to see what happens in a place where they believe in strict immigration controls."
*We all need to "reject the effort to divide us."
*"We need to be true to our heritage," and "they symbol of this country is not a barred gate, it's the Statue of Liberty!"
Of course, these selected phrases don't do justice to Zimmerman's speech. If you had been there Wednesday night, you would have felt the power of an idea - America as a beacon, not a fortress - and the powerful response by the several hundred Arlington Democrats assembled there. All in all, it was a proud night to be a Democrat, a proud night to be an Arlingtonian, and a proud night to be an American.
Thank you Chris Zimmerman, for making us all feel proud.
Makes you proud to live in Arlington County.
Question now is, is the US House going to allow us to be proud to live in America?
I haven't delved deep into the new Senate bill yet.
I am very interested in the guest worker protections, in the employer penalties, and in what is going to constitute "proof" of how long the people affected have lived in the US.
On the surface, it seems to say a lot of things I agree with. I really don't like that Republicans are going to spin this as "their" win during an election cycle - as CJ Cregg said, "I'm all for bipartisanship, as long as we get the credit". hahaha
In the end, I think a good immigration law is more important than Republican candidates gaining an edge in their midterm races. This is a huge issue, but not the only one people will vote on in the 20 or so House races and 10 or so Senate races where we've got real pickup opportunities.
Keep all of your fingers and toes crossed for the House.
Senator McCain, you've got another chance to gain back some of the credibility you are exponentially losing with this - if the House guts this bill, you better put your money where your mouth is on your promise to lead a Republican Senate revolt against it.
Let's get something done.
I wish I had the time to have been there.
Immigration in times of financial anxiety is a proven way of distracting people.
It is especially effective with Americans, who always are reluctant to look at the structure of their society as the cause of their economic grief.
Many middle and lower class conservatives who lost jobs to China will feel that their needs are being met with this bill.
They are not.
Let's remember what Bush and his Rubber-stamp Republican Congress did: they squandered prosperity and a budget surplus, transforming it into government debt and financial stress for the middle class.
Their greatest economic accomplishment?
Bringing down the median income in America.
Republicans have stacked our society in favor of their rich corporate donors. They are financially irresponsible, and have failed to protect America.
Immigration is an issue that must be addressed. But the economic fate of American families is even more important.
Because without a leadership interested in bringing back fairness to the U.S., no amount of walls or border patrols officers will improve the economic lot of most American families.
But, it begs one question:
Where was everybody when the House Republicans in VIRGINIA introduced anti-immigration legislation this past session?
Yes, many bloggers posted stories about these bills, but I don't recall any rallies or marches on Capital Square. I got very few calls or emails then, and hardly anybody showed up before the House Education or Commerce & Labor Committees reviewing these bills. Bills barring undocumented immigrants from attending Virginia colleges/universities and receiving in-state tuition passed the House this year. Fortunately they died in the Senate (where some folks apparently showed up before the committee), but you can expect them to be back.
I applaud you all for taking Congress to task on this issue, but please remain vigilant with the state house as well.
Jennifer McClellan
Virginia House of Delegates
71st House District