la placita olvera

Yesterday we went down to La Placita Olvera in downtown LA to the encampment where people are fasting in order to bring attention to immigrant's rights. In the steps of Cesar Chavez's fasting, the Rise, an immigrants rights organization, planned a 21 day fast and camp out for the 3 weeks leading up to the presidential elections. While not everyone involved camps and fasts the entire 21 day period, many have their tents pitched and are in it for the entirety. The idea is that collectively, those involved fast for 21 days, allowing students and other individuals to contribute by fasting however days they can. The participants denial of food is meant to motivate 1,000,000 people to sign a pledge to vote for immigrants rights. The pledge names the oppression of immigrants, calls for change, and includes a promise to vote in such a way.

I went to Saturday because they were having a student summit, trying to get university students assembled and involved. We learned about non-violence, heard the testimonies of many of those involved, and made signs to put around the encampment. Some of the signs and stencils for shirts were The Rise's logo - the statue of liberty's fist in the air. The location for such an activity was perfect - the foot of Olvera St, the well known little area of downtown LA that is home to Hispanic shops, food, and performance. Directly across the street from Union station, the area attracts tourists as well as people just on their way.

I was surprised and kind of sad at the number of students that came out for the event. My little school brought the largest number from one university. I have no idea how to mobilize people to care about such important issues. But it was encouraging the talk to the people who were there. Even being on the 11th day of the fast, they were still full of energy and passion. I hope the momentum increases and as election day draws near, people won't forget to hold whatever administration they want to see enter office accountable to treat immigrants with the same human rights everyone deserves.

I don't know how fear can create such hardened hearts and inhumane laws and policies. But if you go to la Placita Olvera, you can't help but let your heart be softened. I couldn't help but wonder how to make these voices be heard. How to make my voice heard? The weekend before the elections I'm going to fast with them. Solidarity is powerful, it means unity, and that can bring power. Hope shouldn't die just because of tourists who want to enjoy the culture available to them because of immigrant families, yet are passive to policies that tear these same families apart.

One of the young men from my school made a poster that had a quote from the statue of liberty that seemed to put everything into chilling perspective. I hope America can listen.

"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore."