Ever wondered what it would be like to be invisible? To walk down the street without anyone seeing you? Or to go to work every day without a voice?
For the estimated 12 million undocumented workers living in the United States, the answers to those questions are a grim reality faced daily, but seldom challenged. Today, a predicted 3,000 people will march through the streets of San Diego in peaceful protest of social injustices and lack of immigration reform.
"There is a lot of fear in this community due to immigration raids and border patrol injustices," Christina Lares, chairperson for MEChA, a student organization that promotes social justice and higher education for underrepresented students, said. "But this march is a way for people to show that they do have a voice and that they don't have to be afraid."
May 1 is traditionally celebrated as Dia del Trabajo in Latin America. It is an officially recognized holiday in most parts of the world but not in the U.S., Lares said.
However, in the last few years, the day has gained support in cities such as San Diego, Los Angeles and Chicago with the help of organizations such as the Center for Social Advocacy, Border Angels, Mexicanos Unidos en Defensa del Pueblo and Raza Rights Coalition and Activist San Diego.
"What the organizations want is for people who have lived and worked in this country for a long time to achieve some sort of legal status, so that people do not have to continue to live in the shadows," Professor Isidro Ortiz from the department of Chicana and Chicano studies said.
Ortiz said that undocumented immigrants are often the victims of illegal and unsafe employment practices by employers who take advantage of their status.
"If you are undocumented, you are vulnerable and you are vulnerable in many different ways," he said.
The march will begin at 2:30 p.m. in front of San Diego City College and move toward G Street between State Street and Kettner Boulevard. Afterward, a celebration will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Parque Chicano in Barrio Logan.
Marchers will also rally at the Pantoja Park near G Street, Lares said.
"The idea is to raise awareness and demonstrate support for workers who are still in ambiguous situations," Ortiz said. "In the meantime, the protesters hope to continue to mobilize around the issue until Congress actually does something to reform immigration policy."
This is a peaceful demonstration with nonviolence being one of the key principles of the protest, Ortiz said.
"There will be large numbers of people marching and protesting, which will provide some sense of protection to those who wish to participate because there is safety in numbers," Ortiz said.
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