2008 Woodie Awards
Students march in Prescott against immigration reform
Michael Hamann
Issue date: 4/21/06 Section: News
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The students met at the corner of Gurley and Cortez and marched across the courthouse sidewalks and around the downtown area. Many came from a previous demonstration held in downtown Prescott Valley, but said there was more support in Prescott.
Cars passing the students honked in support and community members yelled, "Viva Estados Unidos!"
As the march continued around the courthouse sidewalks, residents and visitors to Prescott joined in carrying American flags and posters. Parents of students also marched among the crowd.
"I'm here because my daughter is marching today," said Hermina Sahajun, pointing to the group. "My daughter and myself are legal, American citizens. The bill is just plain wrong."
A poster carried by a protestor announced, "We are Americans."
The protest was peaceful, but was not without criticism.
"I told them to leave and come back legally," said 73-year old Ray Nelson. "They can go to the hospital and get free treatment and I can't? That's bologna."
Protestors stopped and argued with Nelson as he followed the march down Cortez Street before stopping to rest on a park bench. The protestors taunted Nelson by showing him their driver's licenses.
Sahajun and Nelson got into a short battle of words over the issue.
"He called me out and I told him, 'Hey, I'm an American, you can't be saying that kind of stuff to me,'" said Sahajun.
The chants of "USA USA" and "Viva America" could be heard over the downtown traffic, drawing curious onlookers from nearby businesses and the courthouse.
"We don't want the law to pass," said student Marco Garcia, "We are Americans."
There were no serious altercations related to the protest around the courthouse and the students were content with the peaceful march.
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