Thread: Son of Elvira Arellano returns for May 1 immigration rallies

Son of Elvira Arellano returns to Chicago for May 1 immigration rallies
Saul, 9, speaks at service at Adalberto United Methodist Church
By Robert Mitchum
Tribune reporter
chicagotribune.com

10:25 PM CDT, April 27, 2008

Looking smart in a yellow dress shirt and a navy blazer, Saul Arellano was a reluctant speaker at the service in his honor Sunday.

Although he stood on an orange chair to deliver a brief statement in Spanish, the language he says he's most comfortable with after nearly 8 months living in Mexico, the 9-year-old son of controversial Immigration activist Elvira Arellano was shy in front of the television cameras pointed in his direction.

But the 30 people gathered at Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood doted on their "Saulito" all the same..

Saul—who has lived with his mother in Mexico since shortly after her deportation in August—returned to Chicago on Sunday to participate in Immigration-reform events scheduled for later this week, said Emma Lozano, his legal guardian in the United States.

The tiny storefront church, which gave high-profile sanctuary to the Arellanos for a year, held a special service Sunday afternoon to mark Saul's return that was equal parts family reunion and political rally.

"It's very inspirational," Lozano said after the service. "Their sacrifice to make this issue public was very great, and it made them both very strong."

Because Saul was born in America, he is a United States citizen and can travel between countries. His mother, whose order of deportation in 2006 prompted the yearlong stay with her son in an apartment above the church, has remained active in reform efforts from Mexico.

Giving an English sermon that was translated into Spanish by assistant pastor Beti Guevera, Rev. Walter Coleman, the church's pastor, pointed to Saul as a beacon for a Hispanic community looking for improvements in the United States' Immigration policy.

"This was a long trip Saul had to take," Coleman said. "He didn't come here just to wave at everybody. He came here with a purpose: to make us wake up, to let us know that even when they deport somebody, that they can't separate us, no matter what they do."

During the service, Saul also presented flowers on behalf of his mother to Flor Crisostomo, 29, who has taken sanctuary in the church over the last three months. Crisostomo, a friend of Elvira Arellano, was ordered deported in January after being arrested in a 2006 Immigration raid on IFCO Systems, where she worked as a pallet loader.

After the service, Saul said he was a little nervous about participating in the May 1 protests scheduled in Chicago.

"I want to be a regular kid, but I can't," he said. Then, he elaborated in Spanish to Lozano.

"He said he should be a child who is free, not a child who has to continually struggle to defend his mother," Lozano translated.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... 9706.story

Elvira is abusing Saul by using him in her sick little game.

But the 30 people gathered at Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood doted on their "Saulito" all the same..

How does the attendance of 30 folks make this a newsworthy event?

Originally Posted by MW

But the 30 people gathered at Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood doted on their "Saulito" all the same..

How does the attendance of 30 folks make this a newsworthy event?

Only in the IA hugging socialist anti-American libidiot media.

The tiny storefront church, which gave high-profile sanctuary to the Arellanos for a year, held a special service Sunday afternoon to mark Saul's return that was equal parts family reunion and political rally.

Political rally? At a church?

501(c)(3) status revoked. Pay to play, or don't play at all.

"I want to be a regular kid, but I can't," he said. Then, he elaborated in Spanish to Lozano.

"He said he should be a child who is free, not a child who has to continually struggle to defend his mother," Lozano translated.

CORRECT translation: I want to be a regular kid, but I can't because my mother & Lozano won't let me!

Originally Posted by miguelina

"I want to be a regular kid, but I can't," he said. Then, he elaborated in Spanish to Lozano.

"He said he should be a child who is free, not a child who has to continually struggle to defend his mother," Lozano translated.

CORRECT translation: I want to be a regular kid, but I can't because my mother & Lozano won't let me!

Exactly right! His mother is a lawbreaker activist and exploiting this child. She should listen to her own child and let him be a kid.

Related thread:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-113426.html

Originally Posted by miguelina

"I want to be a regular kid, but I can't," he said. Then, he elaborated in Spanish to Lozano.

"He said he should be a child who is free, not a child who has to continually struggle to defend his mother," Lozano translated.

CORRECT translation: I want to be a regular kid, but I can't because my mother & Lozano won't let me!

Miguelina, I thought that's what he meant, but you made me see there was a spin on it. Poor kid.