Immigrants take case to streets

Though no large-scale immigration demonstrations or walkouts were apparent in Spokane, some area residents participated in events in Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities.

Ruben Hernandez, president of Eastern Washington University’s chapter of Mexican and Chicano Students of Eastern, took about 10 students to demonstrations in Walla Walla. Hernandez came illegally to the United States at age 5 and later gained citizenship.

“A lot of people think it’s a Mexican issue, but it’s not only a Mexican issue,” he said. “This affects Asians, Russians and all immigrants.”

Vanessa Alviso, an EWU freshman from Yakima, went home for demonstrations there. She said that protesters were staying out of classes, missing their jobs and boycotting stores – all intended to show the effect and presence of immigrants.

“We’re supposed to be invisible the whole day to show what kind of impact we have on this country,” Alviso said.

Even some people who didn’t travel tried to make a stand. Ivone Guillen, a Gonzaga University freshman from Prescott, Wash., stayed out of classes on Monday. She said she’d heard that although the protests have been drawing large crowds, many immigrants were scared to attend for fear of arrest.

“A lot of people are afraid,” she said. “They’re not going to go out and risk it.”