Not due to lack of hard work. Not due to the extremists calling from outside the state. But due to two spineless Democrats.  Still, hear a Colorado Dream Activist, Hans, and his message for all of us.

I just got back from the capitol. I’m feeling really crappy. After four hours of intense debate on the senate floor and witnessing some dim-witted senators spewing ill-informed arguments, the bill will now rest in peace. Unfortunately many smart, hard-working Colorado high school graduates will not. Because they will lose sleep worrying about their future and how impossible it is to continue their education to fulfill their dreams.

What pissed me off the most is that the bill was essentially defeated by two #bleep# democrats, who had been expressing support all along, but decided to all of the sudden stabbed us in the back by voting against it. When I heard that final gavel, there began one of the longest silent moments I’ve ever heard. I was waiting for the guy to say, “Wait I miscounted!”

But no. Afterwards, I tried to remain as zen-like as possible, but I couldn’t. I tried telling others and myself that this is not the end, this is only the beginning. That the Dream Act is on its way. “Lets organize like crazy to get that passed!” But in the immediate aftermath, I wouldn’t dare to boost my friends’ morales. They’ve given blood and tears to fight for this. They’re the ones whose families have just been grossly slandered by ill-informed senators. They’re the ones whose identities and whose very own existence were trampled on the dirt just a few minutes ago. We knew that this experience can only make us stronger, but at the moment grief needed sink in.

It’s worth mentioning that the sponsor for this bill, Senator Chris Romer, is a Saint. He’s a passionate supporter and he is fearless. It’s worth also mentioning the horrendous fact that no one, not one democratic supporter, acknowledged the economic contribution of undocumented immigrants. Sad. They all ultimately gave in to restrictionist threats and misinformation. And note, that the tuition equity bill had a POSITIVE fiscal note.

Today, Colorado senators succumbed to fear. But I, and many of my COLORADO-USA-lovin’-happen-to-be-undocumented friends DID NOT. We will never let fear and oppression define our future. We will continue to fight for the day when we can finally fully contribute to our communities, as U.S citizens. GO DREAM ACT!!!

And in an at times angry speech, Senate President Peter Groff, a Denver Democrat and one of only two blacks in the legislature, hearkened to the civil-rights era and to the country’s “dark past.”

“I hope we can live with ourselves if we vote ‘no’ today,” Groff said, accusing those who opposed the bill of not having the “courage” to do the right thing.

Sen. Joyce Foster, a Denver Democrat who is the descendant of Jewish immigrants, invoked the Holocaust and appealed to senators’ compassion.

“I understand rules, and I understand laws, but sometimes we have to think with our hearts,” Foster said, “and I beg you today to think with our hearts.”

The fight is only over when no one cares and no one works on it anymore. Obviously that is not true. They may have won this small battle, but we shall prevail in the end.

Back to the drawing room.