Report: 7 Arrested at DREAM ACT Sit-In from San Francisco
May 20, 2010 in News Article, Student Activism, Videos by Administrator
7 STUDENTS ARRESTED AFTER CALLING ON FEINSTEIN TO CHAMPION DREAM ACT AS STAND-ALONE BILL
On May 20th at 3pm, supporters of the DREAM Act marched from Union Square in San Francisco, CA to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office. Over 60 students were present to demand Senator Diane Feinstein to push for the DREAM Act out of the Judiciary Committee, where it now sits.
As the rally went on, two representatives from Senator Feinstein’s office came down to talk to the students. The students presented them with a couple of large butcher paper letters with handwritten stories and comments from students in support of the DREAM act. According to her representatives, Senator Feinstein will be seeing these letters in her office.
60 students decided to enter the federal building and sat there until they were told to leave. Everyone left, except 7 students who linked arms, demanding the passage of the DREAM act now. They staged a peaceful sit-in while the rally continued outside. These students were later arrested. Soon after, they were cited and released from SF police custody.
Here’s some reactions to the action: (Courtesy: thoughtlessthought)
pass the dream act!!!
all i want is one of those Famous SS#, to be able to work legally. PASS THE DREAM ACT NOW!
Will American's Ever LEARN
This country was developed by immigrants! What are we thinking by treating humans as we do!
PASS THE DREAM ACT!!
It's amazing to see the lack of humanity in our country. I am not only embarrassed, but sick to think that our country is so ruthless. I was wanting to believe that discrimination was a thing of the past, obviously not. Think of ways to help these kids, pass it along so we can all make a difference. Don't be silent! I just watched a movie the other night on Undocumented Youth… Democrats were the only political figures involved. Why does everything have to be divided?
I was born in this country, am a U.S. citizen, and am EMBARRASSED by how we treat immigrants today. I support the Dream Act! Hardworking young people who were brought here as children, deserve the change to fulfill their dreams. Dream Act Now!!
I don't understand why people don't get that the DREAM Act is a win-win situation for everybody. You have numerous youth who have long since assimilated to the culture, who U.S. taxpayers have already invested thousands of dollars in for their K-12 education, who want to gain higher education if they haven't already, who would give up their left arm if it could give them the chance to legality in this country, who would undoubtedly be far more grateful than the typical U.S.-born citizen for the opportunities given to them.
Illegal is illegal? Well, college-educated is college-educated. And by rejecting the DREAM Act, Americans are turning down literally thousands of intelligent and driven youth who actually want to be useful… and make them be useful to another country. So, rejecting the DREAM Act would actually be America's loss.
The Dream Act is long overdue. Young adults brought to this country by their parents are the victims. They have lived in America all of their lives, attended school, and made their lives here in the U.S. Only to be told that this is no longer your home, you no longer belong here. I was born and raised in the United States, a country whose foundation was built on the backs of immigrants from all over the world. This is what makes the United States the greatest country in the world. Don't let the acts of a few make us as a nation lose sight of what is right and what makes this country great. Pass the Dream Act set those brave students Free!!! and make us proud Americans again. Its our chance as a nation to once again be a leader and do the right thing.
I'm very grateful for the education that I've received, and will always be grateful for the opportunities that America has given me regardless of whether I am allowed to remain in America or not. Taxpayers have already invested in me by providing me a 1-12 public education (wasn't here for kindergarten). When I'm finally getting to the stage in life where I can begin to give back, I'm not allowed to. And I feel that that is a waste of investment.
I don't know how to feel about undocumented youth paying foreign student fee rates. Of course, that would be fair thing to do. But I question whether all parents would be able to afford the costs, and if not, wouldn't that lead to an under-educated second-class population that was doomed to fail from the start?
I also don't feel that I'm entitled to the passing of the DREAM Act.
Although I was brought to America when I was six years old, I am, indeed, currently maintaining my presence in the U.S. with no authorization through my own free will (I'm 22.). I hope to remain in America until I earn a Master's degree (I do have to look out for my own future, you know), and then, I will leave of my volition if no immigration reform bills have passed by then. However, I truly do feel that the passage of the DREAM Act would would benefit all those involved (for the reasons I listed in the comment above).
Get put into deportation.
Do a campaign.
Get deferred action, which means a work permit.
That means an SSN and then a driver’s license.
You would be set.