On Sunday, tens of thousands of marchers will descend in Washington DC to voice their discontent. Immigrant rights groups hope the march forces immigration reform onto the agenda of a White House reluctant to take up the issue.

March for America is coordinated by Reform Immigration for America (RI4A) with the help of a the wide range of groups. The groups expected the March would attract organizers from immigrant community organizations, faith groups, and unions like the UFCW, SEIU, UNITE HERE, and the AFL-CIO federation to mobilize their members.

My only beef with this issue, the Southwest, especially Texas, is under represented, in this major March. In a state with 8.5 million Latinos and only 300+ take part in this important event is unfortunate and disappointing.

The rally is expected to bring 50,000 reform advocates to the nation’s Capitol, and truth be told, can be seen as low numbers. Give that this march is seen as a make or break, since window of opportunity for the Congress to address immigration this year is quickly closing.

I bring this up because I will not organizer blame the Texas and the Southwest for their lack of participation. Considering there was heavy outreach on the the East Coast, one has to wonder how much consideration and resources was put into getting the word out in Texas and Southwest. During the 2006 Grand March, every major city in Texas had record breaking numbers in their respective cities. If we are seriously are wanting to get immigration reform this year, must rectify this mishap or continue to lose the trust of the community.

Unfortunately, I will not be there since I was not aware of the buses going there, instead, I will be attend a smaller rally in Houston, March for Dignity and Respect of ALL Immigrants.

So any Texans out there who was not aware of the DC March and still want to take part, come to the one in Houston.

Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Begins at: Canal St. and Cesar Chavez
Finishes at: 7000 Avenue Q at Hidalgo Park with a rally.

In honor for those making their way to either DC or Houston or another immigration rally on Sunday, lets get this started with protest music.

Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine fame and Boots Riley of The Coup have joined forces to form Street Sweeper Social Club. The title of this post was inspired by one of their songs: Fight! Smash! Win! Let’s honor their wishes and adopt Let’s fight! Let’s smash! Let’s win! as one of our battle cry chants.

The next song from them is called 100 Little Curses. Let’s face it, getting immigration will be an uphill climb. The lone Republican senator, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who who is willing to address immigration reform this year has indicated he might change his mind because of the health bill. Graham said: “If the healthcare bill goes through this weekend, that will, in my view, pretty much kill any chance of immigration reform passing the Senate this year.”

This song should keep the fire lit so we can continue to put pressure on Sen. Lindsey Graham.

And for those who plan to use the threat of deportation as a fear tactic to silence the voice of dissent, sabes que – Can’t Deport Us All

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