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.
[...] / The Denver Post, United We DREAM Coalition Tags: Colorado, DREAM act, Immigrant Students, Immigrant Tuition Equity Bill, undocumented [...]
I've seen the same thing happen when MD's in-state tuition bill failed some years back. We fought hard even from behind the security of emails and calls. It was heartbreaking. But each time, we rise up from the ashes and fight even stronger than ever. GO DREAMERS, GO DREAM ACT! We shall prevail!
cool… i'm on a blog people will actually read!!
thanks guys… it was super emotional. i even missed a school day including a test i probably can't make up. talk about irony… Thanks DREAMERS por sus apoyos… y VAMOS a LUCHAR PA' ALCANZAR NUESTROS DREAMS!!! VIVA LOS DREAMERS!!!
Hey Hans, don't lose hope. We are here and we are going to fight.
It really sad, that Americans forgot where their ancestors came from one day. We are all immigrants. You heartless people WHO claim to be Christians, your actions DO NOT follow the teachings by any means. How can a child who is 8 years old brake the law, if he is not of age to know any better, all he knowns is this country since he grew up here, work hard to pay for his education. We are not asking for charity, and we dont need your tax payer money since we are the hardest working people in this country, we will pay for it ourselves.
The DREAM is not dead, Its just the BEGINIG….SI SE PUEDE!!!!!!!
So we're blaming Democrats just because of the misfortunate action by two of them? I certainly blame Republicans and their xenophobic attitudes.
you're right i don't mean to engage in a blame game…. i was just reeling from the shock and i guess i was looking to justify the hurt… the repubs (harvey, schulteis, and gang) are complete douche, but i sorta expected it. Morgan Carroll (one of the two that switched 3 days before, five total voted NO), to whom i personally paid a visit, said to my face that she supported the bill and i was so happy that I HUGGED her, HUGGED HER!!!! But this switch (or reveal) is a real b-tch (sorry, can't resist). This my friend i did not expect… Oh yeah three of the five is running for higher offices includ. Carroll.
I was there…on the senate floor when it was debated. After the bill failed I cried all day long. It wasn't only because it died…but because of the things said by the Republicans behind the mic. For every second of the 5 hours the bill was debated I and other students were completely ignored by the Republicans. Not one dared look us in the eye. However, they did make jokes on our expense and our families expense. They would make snide remarks on what the democrats said. Even worse, they would make plain out racist comments for us to hear. But not once did they look at us. in 5 hours. When I left….i left feeling like crap. During those 5 hours those ADULT senators had made me feel as less than a human. As if I didn't exist. As if I were a waste of a life. This is the worst feeling in the world. I haven't done anything wrong. All i want is a chance at an education…so why hate me so much???
Im feeling better now. Now that I am getting over the hurt…although slowly…I am more determined than ever to go to college….I will find any way possible…and I will study medicine…and politics. I will be one of their collegues…I will make it impossible for them to ignore me…for them to dehumanize me. I will succeed. And one day I will get to the senate. And never again will they be able to have that kind of power over me.
[...] have that DREAM, I want to share this comment with you that came to us after the failure of the Colorado instate-tuition bill this year: Now that I am getting over the hurt–although slowly–I am more determined [...]
[...] losing several in-state tuition battles this year with heart-break in Colorado, Wisconsin snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat, becoming the 11th state to adopt in-state [...]
[...] losing several in-state tuition battles this year with heart-break in Colorado, Wisconsin snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat, becoming the 11th state to adopt in-state [...]