Immigrants to Obama: It's Time

Immigrants to Obama: It's Time
by GABRIEL THOMPSON

On a Friday night in late February, an endless line of families streams into San Jose's St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church. By the time I take my seat towards the front, I'm looking out at a swelling crowd of more than 650 faces, participants in a prayer vigil in support of immigration reform. As people continue to squeeze into the church, and a live band strikes up a raucous version of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are a-Changin,' " the electric energy brings to mind images of African-American churches in the South during the civil rights movement.

"Bastante gente," says a short and stocky man seated to my right, looking out at the crowd in amazement. Lots of people. I learn that he's originally from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. "I'm here to support my daughter," he says, motioning to the girl beside him. Nancy Rodriguez Cruz, a 14-year-old high school freshman from the nearby town of Gilroy, is nervously fingering a note card and practicing her lines.



http://live.thenation.com/doc/20100405/thompson

[Posted by Melissa Cuen]