Protest Draws Supporters of Undocumented Immigrants

More than 150 people were drawn to the second demonstration organized by The Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition at the UGA Arch on Broad Street Thursday night. 

Earlier in the spring, the from protest what they said is discrimination against undocumented students who would not be allowed to attend UGA and other colleges in the state system.

The aim of this demonstration was to publicly applaud of HB 87, which some opponents have dubbed the “Show Me Your Papers” bill, passed by the Georgia State Legislature this past session, and to protest harassment and prejudicial treatment of undocumented immigrants generally.

Speeches in both English and Spanish urged Georgians to recognize the plight of the undocumented who are forced to flee Mexico because of violence or lack of a livelihood there. The more religiously inclined speakers argued that we are all children of God and are bound by God to care for one another. Others cited their belief that all people have the right to live decently. 

One young Latino woman arrested for demonstrating in Atlanta said that her fear gave way to pride in standing up for her family and friends and her people. 

Signs read “Education Not Deportation,” “No Human Being Is Illegal,” “Shame on Georgia,” and the crowd repeatedly chanted, “Si se puede,” “Yes We Can,” “The People United Cannot Be Defeated.”