Thread: IN: Undocumented youth protest at Statehouse

Undocumented youth protest at Statehouse



2:07 PM, May. 9, 2011 |
185Comments

Written by Will Higgins


About 60 opponents of immigration reform protested today at Gov. Mitch Daniels' office in the Indiana Statehouse.

Undocumented immigrant youth and others spoke out about their immigration status publicly -- risking detention under federal law, organizers say -- and asked Gov. Mitch Daniels to veto Senate Bill 590 and House Bill 1402.

The protest became loud and confrontational. Five people who were in the governor's office, sitting on the floor with arms linked, were arrested and led away in handcuffs.

The protesters also sang and chanted. Among the chants were: "Up with hope, down with hate, Hoosiers don't discriminate," and "Education not deportation.

One of the protesters, Javier Barrera, 26, Indianapolis, screamed at Daniels' door, saying, "Gov. Daniels, look into the eyes of the little kids who will be affected.

"We are here and we are human and we have rights," said Barrera, a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis.

Another protester was Omar Gama, 20, a sophomore studying non-profits at Indiana University in Bloomington. He said he came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 11.

Gama graduated from Tech High School eighth in his class with a grade-point average of 3.9. He said his GPA at IU is 3.2.

SB 590, much like an Arizona immigration law, focuses on local police enforcing federal immigration laws. HB 1402 would exclude undocumented students from Indiana resident college tuition rates.

Gama said he now pays about $8,000 in tuittion but that would increase to $24,000 if the latter bill is signed.

"There's no way I can afford it," he said.

Daniels has not signed either bill.

The group also urged passed of the DREAM Act, a bill that would have granted undocumented students legal status after two years of college or serving in the military. The bill failed to pass the U.S. Senate earlier this year.

www.indystar.com

Students Arrested At Statehouse Immigration Protest

6 Undocumented Immigrant Students Arrested


POSTED: 6:17 pm EDT May 9, 2011

UPDATED: 10:05 pm EDT May 9, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS -- Six undocumented immigrant students were arrested outside Gov. Mitch Daniels' office Monday while protesting strict immigration bills he's expected to sign soon.

The students, wearing their high school graduation gowns, wanted to meet with Daniels to discuss Senate Bill 590 and House Bill 1402, the latter of which would make undocumented students ineligible for in-state tuition at Indiana colleges and universities, no matter how long they have lived in the state.

The otherwise peaceful rally became heated when the students tried to enter Daniels' office without an appointment, police said.

The students were arrested, handcuffed and taken away from the Statehouse. Urier Gama, 20; Sayra Perez; Idamarie Collazo, 21; Guadalupe Pimental, 18; Erick Gama, 20; and Ana Ruiz-Toyar, 23, were preliminarily charged with criminal trespass. Collazo also faces charges of interfering with a police officer and resisting arrest.

"They were given the opportunity three different times over the span of about 15 to 20 minutes to leave the area and not face any arrest," said Indiana State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten. "They're getting exactly what they asked for. They wanted some publicity; they're getting the publicity. They wanted to be arrested; they are being arrested for criminal trespass."

Erick Gama, an undocumented immigrant who was arrested at the rally, was brought to the country when he was 11 years old. He graduated with academic honors from Arsenal Technical High School and currently attends Indiana University.

He said fellow students need to take a stand.

"As soon as tomorrow, HB 1402 could go into effect and our dreams could be shattered," he said. "We just want to have an education, and we're being blocked."

Daniels' spokeswoman, Jane Jankowski, said the governor intends to sign the bills in the next few days.

http://oneoldvet.com/

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/27831083/detail.html

Six arrested during Statehouse protest on immigration bills

Six people were arrested Monday night at the Indiana Statehouse as they protested two immigration bills Governor Daniels is expected to sign into law.

By Kimberly King

Fox59

9:29 p.m. EDT, May 9, 2011

Indianapolis—
Six people were arrested Monday night at the Indiana Statehouse as they protested two immigration bills Governor Daniels is expected to sign into law.

Indiana State police took one woman out of the Statehouse while protestors chanted. The group was mostly comprised of Hispanics who were making an an eleventh hour appeal to get a meeting with the Governor.

"Education not deportation," chanted the crowd.

"We just want to talk to him and share our stories," said Karla Lopez, a student protestor.

Students were arrested for trespassing into the Governor's office. One protestor reportedly tried to go into Daniels' private office but was taken out by police.

Senate Bill 590 would make illegal immigrants pay much higher tuitions. The cost would be three times what they pay now. The bill, when signed into law as expected, would make illegal immigrants pay out of state tuition fees.

"We cant pursue higher education because we cant afford it," said Lopez.

House Bill 1402 would crack down on employers hiring illegal immigrants by making companies use an e-system to verify workers are documented.

The governor was in his office but had no input on how state police handled the situation that included more than 30 minutes of rallying in the hallways outside his office.

The rally continued at the Jail Processing Center where the six arrested were taken.

The names of those arrested include:

Sayra Perez
Ana Ruiz-Toyar
Idamarie Collazo
Erick Gamma
Guadalupe Pimentel
Uriel Gamma

www.fox59.com

"As soon as tomorrow, HB 1402 could go into effect and our dreams could be shattered," he said. "We just want to have an education, and we're being blocked."

Why do you want an advanced education when you can't legally work in this country? Join many of your fellow countrymen placing shingles and sheetrock until we catch up to you (for deporation). Didn't you get the memo, working in poultry plants and on construction sites doesn't require a college education.

These dang illegals are feeling so empowered that they no longer fear apprehension. Why should they, the Obama administration won't deport them.

Related:

Students Arrested at Statehouse Immigration Protest


http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-237517.html