Throughout the University of Washington, the chant “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!” was heard from the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan members who rallied on May 28 against Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 and House Bill 2281.

Arizona’s Senate Bill (SB) 1070 allows any state police to perform checks on “reasonable suspicion” that a person might be an illegal immigrant and arrest them for not carrying identification or papers; House Bill (HB) 2281 prohibits schools from offering courses at any grade level that advocate ethnic solidarity, promote overthrow of the U.S. government, or cater to a specific ethnic group.

These Arizona bills were the motive for the rally organized by members and supporters of MEChA who protested at the UW's Red Square and marched around the campus holding up signs against the bills.

At around 1 p.m., and despite the rainy weather, a crowd of nearly one hundred MEChA members and supporters gather at the Red Square where MEChA member  Maria L. Guillen Valdovinos lead the rally.

Members of MEChA gave speeches against the Arizona bills to motivate the crowd, and the closing speech was granted to Mr. Juan Jose Bocanegra, a prominent Seattle-based activist.

“I hate to tell you but the issue here is not immigration brothers and sisters," Bocanegra said. "The right wing is making immigration the central issue of the struggle, and as immigrants we have no choice but to fight back! This whole issue is an issue of power; it’s an attack on everyone, not only on people of color but on white workers too.”

More information on upcoming events from MECha or events relating to SB 1070 and HB 2281 can be found by visiting www.students.washington.edu/mecha, at www.altoarizona.com, www.elcentrodelaraza.com or also at www.eldiablito.com.

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