DREAM Act Portal Forum - Immigration Activists Converge On Boehner’s Home To Demand Action On Reform

Before the crack of dawn on Wednesday, more than 200 undocumented youths and their family members led a candlelight vigil for immigration reform outside of House Speaker John Boehner’s (R-OH) house in Washington, D.C. Organizers, with the pro-immigration group United We Dream, held a mock Thanksgiving dinner as a symbol of the meal that organizers would not be able to share with loved ones who have been deported. They also asked House Republicans to stop obstructing advancement on immigration reform by using various excuses.

Undocumented activist Antonio Castanon was interrupted during his speech by one of Boehner’s neighbor who told the group to “go home.” Castanon said, “Thanksgiving is about inclusiveness, but due to the immigration system, some of these seats will remain empty.”

“We want to highlight that every day [Boehner] waits, another 1,100 people are getting deported,” David Chung, another undocumented activist, said. “We knew that he could hear us, we had speakers … we want to schedule a meeting about what we want done on our end … Every day we live this. It’s a personal fight and we can’t give up. It’s a fight as long as our family members and friends need us. There’s still nine days — nine chances for Congress to act.”

According to some accounts, Boehner peered out his window, but never came outside. Cops were called to the home, but they allowed the rallygoers to stay so long as the event remained peaceful. Organizers stood outside Boehner’s home for an hour before they marched to his office. They will also stop by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) office later in the day.

Read more here: http://thinkprogress.org/immigration...-boehner-home/