Tourists in Times Square looked on this afternoon as hundreds of students climbed the red bleachers where people usually wait to buy Broadway tickets, and held up 6-foot-high letters that spelled out "DREAM NOW."
Then they unfurled a banner stretching across the bleachers that read, "We are the American DREAM (Act)."
Then they started chanting, "education not deportation!"
"We are the future of America," said an 18-year-old undocumented student named Manisa. "You cannot ignore the noise we're making."
The rally was an attempt to pressure 11 key New York congressmembers to support the DREAM Act during the "lame duck" session before Republicans regain control of the House next year and it is unlikely to pass.
"Leaders in Congress, including Obama, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Senator Harry Reid have said they want to put the DREAM Act up for a vote, and this week is it," said Jennifer, a member of the New York State Youth Leadership Conference (NYSYLC).
As early as Tuesday, Sen. Reid is expected to introduce a scaled down version of the DREAM Act that would allow young immigrants to adjust their status if they can prove they've been in the US and completed 2 years of college or military service.
Thousands of supporters around the country are also working the phones in final push for an idea that has enjoyed bi-partisan support in the past 10 years it has been introduced in Congress.
In New York, the focus is calling the offices of the final congressional hold-outs: Scott Murphy, Michael Arcuri, Bill Owens, John Hall, Louise Slaughter, Timothy Bishop and Brian Higgins.
Among those helping with phone calls is a Vietnam veteran and Peruvian immigrant, Daniel Angeles.
"They don't want to do anything wrong, they're good kids," said Angeles, who traveled from Queens to show his support at the rally after making several calls to state representatives.
Renée Feltz co-produces deportationnation.org. Her cover article in the Nov. 17 issue of The Indypendent looks at a new federal program that could greatly expand immigrant deportations in New York City.
Comments
This is not attempt to raise money for schools by selling girl scout cookies, like pro-illegal groups would have you believe. This is an Amnesty bill for 2.1 million illegal aliens with chain migration for 10 - 30 million more, and a total take-over of our universities and community colleges by anyone worldwide who would like a college education at the US taxpayers' expense.
Only fools think that the Dream act is bad for the economy.
I'm with you, NoDreamAct. The American educational system should be for American students first, many of whom are having difficulty going to college in this economy. I'm sorry that the children of illegal immigrants are having difficulties because of what their parents did, but the American people shouldn't have to foot the bill for those who knowingly put their children in this predicament. Or, perhaps the law-breakers knew many Americans would be more considerate of their kids than they are all along? This American says, "no breaks for people who break the law or cut the line!" What goes around comes around. What kind of nation do we have with no rule of law? There should be no rewards for those who break the law and our government needs to start enforcing our laws for our benefit!!!
the person above has obviously not even done his research. economist again and again and even the Education Secretary Arne Duncan have stated that it will benefit the country tremendously. immigration and immigration issues are not new and this law is just a simple solution. if you pick up a history book youd realize this. the united states is a product of immigration and i dont know about you but i think we've been doing pretty darn good.
you should know to do your research before getting carried away.
support justice, civil rights and equality.
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