This Land Was Made For You and Me

El Hispano/J. Smith

   Philadelphia– More than a thousand miles from the Arizona and Mexican border, the contentious debate over  Arizona’s immigration law SB1070, rent South Philadelphia’s Ninth Street - Italian Market into two fractious factions, last Thursday, as Geno’s Steaks owner Joey Vento held a fund-raising rally in support of the Arizona law.

    The finger pointing, flag waving, haranguing speeches, and singing  that accompanied the event,  was   kept at  a level of decorum under the watchful eye of a dozen Philadelphia Police officers, and was for some a source of “embarrass(ment)” and others a “show of real democracy.”

     “I feel very embarrassed to have this happen in Philadelphia,” said Monica Rodrigo-Useche, as she observed some of the sharp exchanges between the two sides of Ninth street.

    “I used to bring tourists here to Geno’s, and to have this very negative (event) here.  It’s really sad,” said Ms. Rodrigo, a native of Peru who has been a U.S.  citizen for nearly two decades.

   “It’s the art of democracy,” asserted Rev. Lydia Muñoz, a Minister in the United Methodist Church. “But, it also makes me think this is not the  America my parents talked about when we came here from   Puerto Rico.  They spoke about the American dream.”

   “My brother is serving in Iraq right now, because he  believes in the greatness of America” continued Rev. Muñoz. “He tells me that there are many other Latinos serving and that they are very proud and happy to serve.” 

    “No matter what, they cannot silence the voice of the people,” added Rev. Muñoz, referring to the fierce ongoing debate. “We are in solidarity with the immigrants. And there are no enemies here, only a desire to communicate.”

      While the majority of those aligned on the Geno’s side of the street, in support of Arizona’s immigration law, were between the ages of forty and eighty, Rev. Muñoz noted that the pro-immigration side were largely twenty to thirty-somethings, non-Latinos and recent college grads: “It says a   lot about a generation that some say doesn’t care. They’re showing they care, they care about family values.” 

     Watching from a  distant vantage point, a bemused local Restaurant worker, Pablo Diaz, expressed the view of many of the Mexican and Vietnamese community of South Philadelphia, “We are not criminals and most are very hard workers.”

    While one side of the Ninth street divide shouted, “Get a job” and “Pay your taxes.”  The opposite side responded with the united chant, “Yes we can, yes we can.”

   As a man portraying Uncle Sam roamed the Geno’s side of the street, the singing of “God Bless America,” produced cheers, accompanied by flag waving. 

    Meanwhile the younger advocates for  comprehensive immigration reform, carrying banners such as “European Descendants for Immigrants” and “President Obama Nullify SB1070,” responded with a loud rendition of, “This land is your land,  this land is my land, from California...”

    Standing on the side of the street opposed to the Arizona bill, Alex Vidal, a local school teacher, spoke in  defense of the undocumented community, “They are standing up for themselves.  This is all about the American dream.”

   Nodding in the direction of the large crowd surrounding Geno’s, the owner of a local business, Wayne Siefert, suggested, “ I don’t think you can have an intelligent conversation about this issue without them becoming belligerent.  All of us, our Fathers and Grandfathers, came from somewhere else.” 

    A sharp exchange occurred at the opening of the rally, as a man crossed the street  from Geno’s to argue his point with Ms. Veronica Perez, the Director of the cultural organization,  Raices Culturales.

    “You’re being a bad Philadelphian,” Ms. Perez vigorously argued. “I pay my taxes; and you have a small mind.”

     Taken aback  by her  statements, Joe Corbi replied almost apologetically, “It’s not a racial thing. I don’t have anything against Mexicans. But come in Legit.”

    Mr. Corbi went on to say that most of the “illegal immigrants” were paying no taxes and receiving many government benefits. Immigrant advocates and several independent studies, however, have cast doubt on these arguments.

  U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton     heard arguments over  whether the Arizona law should take effect, on the same day as the rally, the first of seven challenges facing the stringent law.

     Arizona Governor Jan Brewer requested a dismissal of the challenge that was filed by Phoenix Police Officer David Salgado and the nonprofit organization Chicanos Por La Causa.

    The  Arizona law requires police, while enforcing other laws, to inquire about a person’s immigration status, if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is in the country illegally.

     Supporters of Arizona’s   SB1070, contend that the federal government    has failed to respond to a flood of undocumented immigrants, who that say have brought increased burdens and social costs “without paying taxes.”

     The opponents of the proposal say it will  impede an already busy police departments, possibly encourage racial  profiling and create a sense of fear and a reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement within immigrant communities.