Albany leaders welcome "dream walkers" to Georgia

Feenmi · 02-13-2010, 06:08 PM

Just a little something on the DREAMers walking to DC.

Quote:

News release from the Albany Chamber of Commerce

The six young adults who crossed the border on foot from Florida to Georgia yesterday afternoon, as part of a four-month, 1500 mile pilgrimage from Miami to D.C. to call attention to the current crisis in their communities and the urgent need for a comprehensive immigration reform will be in Albany on Monday, February 15th at 10:00 am to receive a very special community welcome from local leaders.

The Reverend Ezekiel Holly, vice president of the NAACP of Georgia will be among those offering words of welcome and support.* "The NAACP is proud to offer our support of these brave students because we believe in the same dream that the Dream Walkers believe in," he said.

The nationally recognized "Trail of Dreams" aims to share the real life stories of the nation's newest arrivals and confront the myths and stereotypes of immigrants, both documented and undocumented.*

Adelina Nicholls, Executive Director of the Georgia Latino Alliance of Human Rights (GLAHR) says she hopes the journey helps Georgians to better understand the realities behind those myths and stereotypes.* "Our communities often find themselves discriminated against and blamed for the state's problems.* We are parents, grandparents, students, workers, dreamers.* We seek only that which is fair – the opportunity to work hard, to have a family, to go to school and church, to live with dignity and peaceful lives."

The "Dreamers" left Miami on the 1st of January. They will be welcomed throughout south Georgia in the towns of Cairo, Pelham, Bainbridge, Baconton, Tifton, and Albany where the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights (GLAHR), and local Latino and African American leaders have worked together to find them food, accommodations, and places to gather where the students can learn from and educate local communities.

"Not since the Civil Rights Movement has south Georgia seen a group of young adults engage in such a loving act of civil disobedience as the young men and women who will be passing through our streets this February" said Anton Flores, of the Alterna Community in LaGrange.

*The Public Welcome to participate in the Trail of Dreams Welcome to Georgia, Monday, February 15, at 10:00am at the Albany Welcome Center – 112 N. Front Street, Albany, GA 31701.

http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=11977331

Sonawabich · 02-13-2010, 09:28 PM

It would be... I don't know... so ridiculous? if they get caught by ICE and deported promptly.

Novela · 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonawabich

It would be... I don't know... so ridiculous? if they get caught by ICE and deported promptly.

ICE has already commented on that, it's not gonna happen.
I don't remember where I saw the article with the interview, but they basically said they were more interested in finding illegal criminals rather than students who haven't really done anything -else- to break the law other than being undocumented. All that, of course, while still trying to keep up the "powerful, law-enforcing, bad cops" idea by saying their goal is to catch & deport ANY illegal eventually.

EDIT: 'sides... methinks this whole thing is already too out to the public, if ICE tried to arrest those kids, the press would be all over them like hungry lions, & you better believe a LOT of people would be on the move to get those kids out. Actually... if they did get arrested it would probably end up well for them, cuz they'd probably end up similarly to those other stories of DREAMers who were caught & freed, either getting more time to adjust their status, or deportation delayed, or a private bill or something. ~shrug~
If that were to happen, tho, it would only benefit them and completely kill their cause.

arthur352 · 02-15-2010, 06:29 PM

I love what they are doing I live in Georgia so I hope they are ready for the racist down south those crazy people don't play. Does anyone have any information on when they will be in Atlanta because I would like to meet them and thank them for what they are doing?

hef107 · 02-16-2010, 12:05 AM

I'm so proud of those kids. I hope their efforts bring light to the situation and that it helps pass the Dream Act.

)

arodriguez · 02-16-2010, 12:03 PM

I agree with Novela I read an article with a quote from an ICE spokesperson and they said they were only interested in arresting/deporting criminal immigrants at this point. although from a republican point of view all illegal immigrants are criminals.

midtownhm · 02-17-2010, 02:02 PM

This is great stuff. These Dreamers have a lot to be proud of. I live in DC, can't wait to see these guys here.

free2be · 02-23-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arthur352

I love what they are doing I live in Georgia so I hope they are ready for the racist down south those crazy people don't play. Does anyone have any information on when they will be in Atlanta because I would like to meet them and thank them for what they are doing?

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Albany leaders welcome "dream walkers" to Georgia