NAYELI HERNANDEZ FASHION & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
On Friday, April 9th, two banners were draped around the city of Grand Junction by local organizations in a state-wide immigrant rights collective action event.
The Hispanic Affairs Project (HAP), Western Colorado Alliance (WCA) and Colorado Immgrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), were the organizations that joined together for this statewide banner dropping event, demanding congress and government officials a pathway to citizenship, freedom from deportation and COVID relief for all undocumented immigrants.
The banners that read “What’s on your table? Thank an Immigrant #WeAreEssential” were draped down on Ralph Stocker Stadium and on the parking garage on 435 Rood Ave.
According to a CIRC email coordinating the event, the parking garage on Rood Ave was chosen because of its location, across from the federal courthouse. With Rep. Lauren Bobert in town that day, the organizations wanted to make a strong statement with the banners.
Local Latino community leader and chair of the Cesar Chavez Celebration Committee, Jose Luis Chavez, expressed one of his many concerns for these essential workers. Many of the essential immigrant workers have long working days and don’t have time to get the COVID vaccine.
“We are still trying to get them so that they will get the vaccine. If they are essential then why are they not going to the growers and setting up a mobile clinic so that they can get their shots?” Chavez said.
According to CIRCs Facebook, there were a total of nine banners dropped across the state in Longmont, Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.
The banners in the area then got taken down at an unknown time, but the local community members were still able to show their support and shine a light on the importance of the undocumented communities.
“We dropped the banner because we want immigrant rights, we want them to be able to get a minimum wage, full healthcare and a pathway to citizenship,” Chavez said.
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