Originally published by the Inlander (http://www.inlander.com/spokane/a-part-of-us-all/Content?oid=2300159)
By Rachel Dolezal
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday,” seemed to be the call of more than 100 protesters lined up to march in Spokane last week, seeking urgent immigration reform. “We have written letters, gone on hunger strikes, made phone calls and are marching again to send a message to Cathy McMorris Rodgers that this issue is important to the people she represents,” said Dr. Martin Meraz-Garcia from Eastern Washington University’s Chicano Education Program. “This is about having compassion for others. It’s a humanitarian issue we should all care about.”
While immigration reform is supported by more than 70 percent of Americans, the small gathering at last Thursday’s march suggests an underrepresentation of regional voters. “All people should understand that immigration reform is important, because these people are a part of our society and the backbone of our workforce,” said Jackie Vaughn, a leader of MEChA de EWU, a Chicano student group. “We need people to be proactive and not just passively supportive.” Key legislation overwhelmingly passed the Senate in 2013, but if that bill, S. 744, does not make it to a vote in the House by this August, the movement will suffer a major setback.