Scores of immigrants last Saturday, chanting, who built Richmond Hill, who is going to protect Richmond Hill, and who will keep us safe, demonstrated against the Trump Administration’s rhetoric that is driving fear in nationals.
“Please Show Some Compassion, Mr. President,” “We are All Immigrants,” “Together we are Home,” “America is a Nation of Immigrants,” and “United we Stand” were written on placards at a peaceful Unity Rally on Liberty Avenue in Queens. Many gathered ahead of the November 5 election to call on the community to vote for the 47th President.
Candidate for NY City Council District 28, Japneet Singh, one of the organizers and a member of the Sikh community, sent a strong message that the community must be safe. “Fear has no home here. This community was built on the backs of immigrants, and we want to make sure that our immigrant brothers and sisters are safe here. We are not condoning criminals. We are here for the rights of the people who work hard and are doing the right things but are feeling unsafe, said Singh, who called for law-abiding undocumented immigrants to get legal status in the United States.
The demonstrators, who carried flags representing their countries, expressed frustration at ICE- Immigration Customs and Enforcement unlawful raids.
Dr. Dhanpaul Narine, a community leader and educator for 37 years, brought attention to the desolate Liberty Avenue. He said it is usually bustling with immigrants on a Saturday afternoon but is a ghost town due to fear and anxiety about what would happen if residents leave their homes.
“I am asking everyone to be your brother’s keepers; let us stand together and stand united because if we don’t, we will fall apart. We are asking the President of the United States to allow persons who have been here for many years to create a pathway for these law-abiding citizens to get their permanent status. They have contributed to this country; they have educated children. Give these persons a two-year to three-year status, and eventually give them a green card,” reasoned Narine.
He argued that residents who continued living in Richmond Hill for many years eventually purchased houses and cars and started businesses while contributing to the economy. “It would be a win-win situation for America,” said Narine, who called on the crowd to chant, “We want unity.”
Mohamed Q. Amin, founder and executive director of the Caribbean Equality Project, fired up the crowd, saying, “This community belongs to all of us. For over 40 years, immigrants have built Richmond Hill. Parents have raised their children here. We are fighting to protect all immigrants.”
Amin, who has lived in the town for 20 years, said, “We must continue to fight hate and racism. This administration is not just targeting immigrants; they are targeting black people, women, LGBTQ, trans, and all non-white people. We are most at risk. We are losing our sense of safety in this country. The threat of deportation is not only for those who are undocumented, he said, and condemned the Lincoln Riley Law that would deny birthright citizenship.
“You were made possible by immigrants. If it were not for immigrants, this community and city would not be what it is, and this nation would not be what it is, expressed Shivana Jorawar, co-executive director at Jahajee, an Indo-Caribbeans for Gender Justice.
“Fear in Richmond Hill is affecting the economics of the community. People are not going to work, which is impacting the bottom line of business owners. Prices are skyrocketing. Our ability to survive is being interrupted. We are a family here. Regardless of your immigration status, you are a human being in this country, and you have rights, yelled Jorawar, adding that we are here because “it matters, and we matter.”
The activist also distributed ‘Know Your Rights’ flyers outlining the duties of ICE and the dos and don’ts to stay safe.
District Leader Albert Baldeo, an immigration attorney, complimented the NYPD, saying New York is a sanctuary state, and the officers should not be the foot soldiers of ICE. He noted that he respects what they must do but that they should not be used and abused in the discharge of their duties. “We will work with you hand in hand to make sure this community stays safe.”
“We must form alliances with organizations that care about you,” he said, welcoming Joe Gonzalez, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network representative. Unless we join forces with those who have been in the fight, we will not win. We stand on the shoulders of those before us. We must give credit to those who help us.”
Baldeo, who said he was surprised and disappointed that no elected officials had attended the rally, warned residents about the false narrative being peddled, that $125.00 would be paid for reporting on undocumented immigrants. “It is fake news,” he said, adding that it is also illegal for the Trump administration to end birthright citizenship and promised to fight the unconstitutional law.
“We advise persons to always carry identification with them, whether American citizenship or Green Card and to know their rights. Do not open your door to an immigration officer. And resist being arrested by not giving up your rights, say, I want to speak to my lawyer, or I know my rights.”
“Be vigilant. If not, people could be deported like animals on an army plane back to their homeland,” said Baldeo. He further called on mandirs, temples, and churches to give refuge to people who are being attacked. Let us stand strong and stand together and continue the fight. He called on protesters to ask, “What do you want?” with a reply to justice. “When do we want it? Now!”
Joe Gonzalez, on behalf of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, demanded public safety and described what was taking place in the minority community as hypocrisy. “We heard President Trump trying to go after people of color from the Caribbean, from Africa, from the Middle East. He wants immigrants to be deported; at the same time, he wants to make Canada and Greenland part of the United States.”
“We must make ourselves wanted, make our voices heard, and above all, make ourselves a priority so that when our community leaders call for a rally, you show up and listen. Albert Baldeo, who could be doing a lot of things, but he’s here in the cold with us, that’s the first issue with respect to priority,” said Gonzalez.
Jamal, an organizer, said the most prominent Caribbean people are found in Brooklyn, noting that it has only been three weeks since the Trump Administration took office, but it feels like four years already. The attack on the black community is disgusting. “People work hard. They are home health aides and caretakers, but the administration is saying we don’t matter. We are here to say collectively, we matter, and we are going to be persistent in this fight to make sure you are recognized and you are a part of this great American fabric,” said the Brooklyn activist, with a rallying call to fight for justice and democracy.
Other community leaders including, Bibi Alli, founder of Power of the Soil, who has lived in the community for 40 years; Community Leader Dilip Nath, heads of Mandirs and Temples; a college student, Imam Safraz Bacchus, and residents, all called on the Trump Administration to create a pathway to legalizing undocumented immigrants, even suggesting an amnesty program for those who continue to uplift their communities, work, and pay taxes to the American government.
For more information, contact, Immigration Defense Project 212-725-6422, New York Immigration Coalition 212-627-2227, www.jahajee.org – 347-201-4931, and Albert Baldeo at 718-
