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Stumble It!Protesters filled the corner of 9th and Massachusetts streets Monday to demonstrate their opposition to the HR 4437 legislation. If passed by the Senate, this act would make it a felony to live illegally in the United States. Protesters feel it is imperative that people take a stance on this issue.
"We believe that bad laws are made, and we have a moral duty not to enforce bad laws, or immoral laws, I should say," said Ray Rojas, protester.
The group of demonstrators included some members of organizations such as Kansas Mutual Aid, HALO, Latin American Solidarity Coalition, and Migrant Worker Solidarity. The group also included supporters from the Lawrence community.
"We're out here, all different races and nations really, to come out here and say that we all feel the same way about one particular topic," said Aaron Ross, protester.
Organizers of this protest said people should let their voices be heard, and they also need to let their congressmen know how they feel about the issue. Some protesters set up a call-in to state representatives and senators, and they also had petitions for protesters to sign. At 1 p.m. protesters marched to Dennis Moore's office at 9th and Kentucky and attempted to deliver the petitions directly to him. Moore was not in his office at the time.
"They are representing us and this is a way to show them what we would like to see our nation support. And we would like to see our nation support immigrants," said Lydia Leon, protester.
One protester had a specific message she wanted to deliver to the government.
"We just definitely wanted to show support for our people, and hopefully the higher-ups will hear us out. We are people too," said Anita Sotomayor, protester.
