Immigrant Reform Rally – Thousands show solidarity during protest in Jackson Heights

Thousands of immigrants lined both sides of the sidewalks beginning at 74th Street and 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights extending east to 84th Street holding signs and chanting for legalization and increased rights for the more than 11 million immigrants who are currently in the United States illegally.
With boycotts and protests taking place throughout the country on May 1, the Jackson Heights demonstration consisted of local business owners, workers, students and families gathering, beginning in the late morning hours and continuing through mid-afternoon.
“We showed solidarity,” said Eduardo Giraldo, President of the Queens Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “I think we broke records here on 37th Avenue, and I am very excited about what happened.”
Businesses along Roosevelt Avenue shut down at 12:16 p.m. in a symbolic gesture against the passage of a House of Representatives bill passed on December 16, 2005, which called for illegal immigrants classified as criminals within the United States. Businesses shut down in Queens as well as across the nation, aiming to show the important role immigrants play in the nation’s economy.
“I am an immigrant also, and we have to respect that population,” said Harry Mamati, owner of Wild Cherry, a grocery store on 37th Avenue, who emigrated to the country 20 years ago from Turkey. Mamati closed his store for nearly three hours on Tuesday in order to attend the rally and allow his workers to participate in it. “Of course it [closing the store] was worth it,” he said. “We have to support the immigration movement.”
Victor Benites, a barbershop owner on 75th Street and 37th Avenue, decided to close down his shop during the demonstration in support of immigrants, although he was not sure how effective the rally would be in getting legislation accomplished.
“Maybe it will help,” he said.
Others who attended the rally believed that the demonstration would capture the attention of legislators throughout the country and help immigrants bolster their case for legalization.
“They are going to see that we are getting together and that we have a goal,” said Forest Hills resident Maria Salazar. “That’s the only thing that we want is to be listened to and recognized as human beings.”
Miguel Tovar, 33, emigrated from Mexico with his family 12 years ago and has spent the past 10 years living in New York City. Tovar said the illegal immigrants currently in the country want to work and become U.S. citizens the right way, and once they do, they will support the country that gave them this chance.
“People offer [to help] you to get married [to gain citizenship], things you don’t want to do; we want to do it the right way,” said Tovar, who works as a waiter in a restaurant in Forest Hills. “We came here to make a better life for ourselves.”
Some participants at the rally were not worried about losing their jobs because of the rally. “I don’t care if I am fired from my job, I can get another,” said Edwin Singuenza, 28, who came to Queens eight years ago from Ecuador.
Singuenza’s brother, Edgar agreed about being fired, “We could not miss this rally, our lives depend on this protest.”
During most of the rally, the crowds remained on the sidewalks chanting, mostly in Spanish, except for one instance where crowds poured into the street near 81st Avenue attempting to form the human chain and shutting down traffic for nearly 20 minutes. Police officers quickly placed extra barricades along the sidewalk and returned the demonstrators to their spots without incident.
Although most organizers believe the Queens demonstration was a major success, there is no timetable expected for the legislation currently in the U.S. Senate.
However, Frank Garcia, President of the New York State Coalition of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce said if legislation does not come soon, future rallies are already in the works.
“Next time, we will close the businesses for two or three days,” Garcia said.