Nearly a thousand supporters rallied and marched for comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act shortly before President Obama’s commencement speech in Ann Arbor this morning.
Chanting “Yes we can!” the marchers wanted to remind the President of his to promise to reform the broken immigration system. In the wake of Arizona’s extremist anti-immigrant law, the movement for immigration reform has gained intensity, urgency, and momentum, but more action from the President is needed.
Buses filled with energized supporters arrived from Detroit, Pontiac, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, East Lansing, Westland, Ypsilanti and New Haven. Hundreds of Ann Arbor residents turned out to the event.
During the rally, supporters were addressed by faith and labor leaders, as well as the “Avenue of Dreams” marchers. The group of undocumented students and supporters completed a three-day trek from Detroit to Ann Arbor, and were greeted with thunderous applause.
Dayanna, one of the Avenue of Dreams marchers addressed the crowd:
“With every step, we wanted to remind President Obama: Friends keep their promises. We love this country and want to give back by becoming the next generation of doctors, lawyers and engineers. But we can’t because of a simple piece of paper. President Obama, let our dreams into that stadium this year”.
Dressed in caps and gowns, immigrant students held their own “DREAM Act” graduation ceremony in honor of those who could not attend college because of their immigration status.
The crowd was so big and the marchers were so loud that students attending the commencement rushed to the rim of the stadium to see what was happening below.
Categories: Civil Disobedience, Michigan, Uncategorized
