Protesters march for the American Dream
Area residents join in immigration reform movement

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Staff Writer

Irvin Ceniceros marches down the Historic Route 66 Monday evening with other protesters who are pushing for immigration reform. They joined hundreds of thousands across the nation who also marched for the same cause. [Photo by Matt Hinshaw/Independent]

GALLUP — Protesters spanning four generations marched down Route 66 Monday evening demanding undocumented immigrants get a chance live the American Dream.

The march started at an empty parking lot near Silver Stallion with only three people, but as word spread, dozens joined in a show of support for the nation's estimated 11 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants. As the march wound down, nearly 30 people joined in, despite the cold weather and blowing wind.

Rallies have been taking place in more than 140 cities across the nation and at least in 39 states.

"This is done with peace," said Diana Joe, who was a primary organizer of the march. Joe, of the Mechichi bloodline, talked of how Hispanic people are indigenous people who have been oppressed for centuries.

"I am upset for 500-plus years," said Joe. "But I am upset in an educated way." She said people need to review their history and do their research. Joe, who is a cultural consultant for indigenous people in the Four Corners area, also had the support of her niece, Barbara Ratcliffe, who drove from Florida to help pass out flyers and organize the march in Gallup.

Ratcliffe, 45, who arrived from Navarre Beach on Tuesday, works as a landscaper. She said she works with nothing but Hispanic people.

"It's not about color or race," said Joe. "It's about the children."

"We want our children to become more than dishwashers, cooks, and housemaids," said Joe, who was raised doing farm work. "When are we going to have that right?"

Alfredo Dominguez, 50, played a key role in bringing people together for the march and said it is not right that immigrants have to hide.

"They have a right to stay in this country," said Dominguez. "Our people just want to work and be free in this country."

Librada Gutierrez, 74, was the eldest marcher who trekked from the east side parking lot to downtown and back to demonstrate what some are calling the "national day of action for immigration injustice." Gutierrez marched alongside her grandchildren, children, daughter-in-law, and friends.

Through a translator, Gutierrez said that nothing has gotten better since she was young. "It has not changed," she said. "Nothing has changed." Gutierrez said that racism needs to cease so that everyone will be equal.

Three youngsters, Christopher Dominguez, 9, Kevin Contreras, 8, and Jesse Rodriguez, 14, marched right alongside Gutierrez fighting for the same cause, although they are more than a generation apart. Although young, they knew that the march was in support of immigration and the end to injustice.

"It's for people to stop calling us 'beaners' and stuff like that," said Rodriguez, who is a student at John F. Kennedy Middle School.

Martin Dominguez, 17, walked alongside a number of his high school peers to demonstrate his support for equal rights. "It's for my people," he said. Dominguez said that they want to have their rights like everybody else.

Ratcliffe said that they did receive negative comments during the march from onlookers shouting absurdities implying that they go home and leave the States.

"It's expected (negative comments), but we got lots of positive response," she said. Those comments didn't hurt Ratcliffe, Joe, or any of the other marchers. Joe's response to herself was that they were home because their people had been living in the Southwest region long before people came across from Europe.

And despite ignorant remarks from some onlookers, marchers left the parking lot with a some sense of accomplishment, rejoicing and shouting "Viva Mexico," meaning "Long Live Mexico." Joe said that depending on the legislation that will be passed by the Senate, they may have another march on May 1st.

For more information on a possible upcoming march, you can reach Diane at 928-724-3505.