On Feb. 22, César Chávez Park was flooded with the sounds of cultural celebration and cries for justice. This event was posted on social media by Norcal Resist to rally Sacramento citizens together in support of the undocumented community, or as the post read, their “undocumented siblings.” In the post’s caption, they stressed the importance of solidarity for this community due to the recent national support and crackdowns with ICE raids. When entering the park, citizens were met with signs of protest, activist guest speakers and a cultural community celebrating their existence through live music and Aztec dancers. With this event communities reach out to U.S leaders for grace and humane treatment, as well as recognition for their cultures and communities.
Many of the citizens participating in this rally have a personal relationship to the issues and threats undocumented citizens face right now in the U.S. and those that don’t have that personal connection are still supporting, using their voice to speak for those that can’t. The sense of overall community and strength of this united group’s support creates an intense and heartfelt atmosphere. Signs were displayed in support of the rights and humane treatment of undocumented immigrants, as well as many anti-Trump and Elon Musk statements that portray their frustrations with the leadership’s treatment of undocumented communities. It was conveyed through these signs and speeches that these communities are hurt by the negligence and hateful treatment they believe stems from people in power.
It should be no surprise that the citizens on American River College’s campus feel the effects as well. Amy Munoz is a psychology major at ARC, the Vice President of Puente and President of the Latinos Unidos Club. However, she is also the daughter of immigrants who went through the documentation process, making her support of the rally both important and personal to her.
“Everyone is affected in one way or another,” Munoz said. “I would want someone to fight for me if I didn’t have a voice.”
The event was hosted by Ruth Ibarra with NorCal Resist with support from Xico Gonzalez, a local artist and political activist. It included performances from Banda Estrello De Oro and Capitol City Drum & Dance. Additional speakers included Ahjamu Umi with the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party along with Sarah Al-Zanoon with Sac Stands with Palestine, who reinforced the support shown for undocumented people. Following the spirited string of speakers on the dais, the group marched down downtown Sacramento streets, chanting and blowing horns, awakening a sleepy Sunday afternoon.
The black-clad members of NorCal Resist donned yellow armbands, acting as primary security for the protesters, as police were considered untrustworthy. The police stood back across I Street, on the far corner from the park, leaving plenty of distance between themselves and the protesters.
Ahjamu Umi, an activist and guest speaker invited on behalf of Norcal Resist, conveyed this feeling of frustration present within these communities. He urges people to stop waiting for fair treatment from people in power and instead fight for it.
“We have got to stop begging these people to honor our humanity,” Umi said. “They are not going to do it.”
Following the proclamations of joint frustration, live music was played and a dance floor opened for protesters and Aztec dancers to celebrate the unity of their cultures and message. From there, participants were able to put their signs to use, expressing their political and social frustrations as they marched towards Downtown Sacramento.
As this mass of people marched down along Interstate 5 unanimously chanting profanities against Trump, it was evident to all spectators who this group is sending a message to. This direct call out of frustration makes sense, considering the direct impact President Donald Trump has had on the recent intensity of ICE raids. Following his readmission into office, the Trump administration revoked a policy prohibiting agents from making arrests in “sensitive locations” which includes churches, schools and hospitals.
Giselle Garcia volunteers with NorCal Resist, a local political organization that fights immigration justice. Garcia and the organization were in full spectacle on Saturday, educating the attendees on how to protect immigrants and undocumented people during such a turbulent political atmosphere.
“We’re showing them that we’re here for [immigrants], we stand with them, we’re doing what we can to advocate for them and we want them to come out as well and not in fear,” Garcia said.
Actions like these from political leaders are what many people at rallies, such as the one held at César Chávez Park, have been outwardly speaking against. They say that the crackdown on ICE raids has only made these communities more fearful of the stability of their families and livelihoods as they navigate the already difficult documentation process. As much as this rally’s main objective is to have their voice and rights heard by the community and political leaders.
“I am a descendant of Mexicans, and I want to fight for people that don’t have a voice,” Gomez said.
