Just got back from an amazing rally here in Ann Arbor.  Turn out was just over 50 people, which is amazing as we just had time to get word out via a few mailing lists.

University of Michigan student and OneMichigan organizer, Luz, led us with a personal testimony, “Am I supposed to ask my friends if they are undocumented so I won’t get in trouble for giving them a ride home?!”  She went on to say how troubled she was moving to Ann Arbor at first, how she was scared to even come out to events like this one.  But now, with the quick response of the community, she feels like she has a new family.

With such short time to plan, we originally intended to just have a vigil as a way of showing solidarity with our friends in Arizona.  However it was immediately obvious that people needed to let off some steam so we created an impromptu March around the city.  It was a great success.  People were angry, people chanted “go by the books, don’t judge us by our looks!” and “Brewer Brewer your politics are going down the sewer!”   We were given odd stares until people realized what was up and they joined us.

We had community leaders from Amnesty International, Migrant Immigrant Rights and Awareness, Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition from Immigrant Rights and Michigan Peace Works speak about how this issue has been an issue in their communities.  WICIR has responded to over 120 cases involving ICE authorities in just the past year.

For more pictures from the event check out our Flikr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dreamactivistorg/

You still have time, organize your own rally / vigil right now and send us (admin@dreamactivist.org) the information so we can blast it for you.  We need to stand in solidarity with our friends in Arizona, before long bills like this will be spreading all across the nation.  Lets act now.  Lets unite now.  Lets win!

Here in Ann Arbor we know we have our work cut out for us, on May 1st Obama will be here delivering a speech at the University of Michigan.  We will on that day stand in solidarity with all the other events happening across the country to really demand the immediate passage of the DREAM Act from Obama.

Join us!