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Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested on the steps of the Capitol building on Wednesday Dec. 6 while demanding that Congress pass a clean Dream Act to provide legal protections to undocumented people who came to the United States as children. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
In Pictures/Video: Hundreds Arrested in Peaceful Protest as Thousands March Demanding 'Clean' Dream Act
Immigrant rights advocates, including two members of Congress, arrested for demonstrating while DACA recipients share how many days they have left before possible deportation
Dec 06, 2017
As undocumented young people lose their temporary protected status and Republican lawmakers push for legislation that would ramp up deportations, an estimated 15,000 people marched on Capitol Hill Wednesday while hundreds--including two lawmakers--were arrested in a peaceful protest to demand that Congress pass a clean Dream Act.
\u201cOur movement has the best MUSIC! Chanting \u201cWe Gon\u2019 Be Alright!\u201d as thousands rally for #DREAMActNow and #SaveTPS @UNITEDWEDREAM\u201d— Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b (@Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b) 1512584357
\u201cThe great folks from @MaketheRoadNY have arrived to the #DreamActNow rally!\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cHappening now: Hundreds are on the Capitol steps putting their bodies on the line to demand a clean Dream Act #DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512588244
The Dream Act, first introduced in Congress in 2001, would enable undocumented people who were brought to the United States as children and meet other criteria to remain in the United States legally. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, implemented by former President Barack Obama, was seen as a temporary fix until Congress could agree on legislation that addressed the status of this group.
Since the Trump admininstration announced in September its plans to phase out the DACA program--with no legislation in place to provide similar protections--immigrant rights advocates have increased the pressure on legislators to pass a bill that allows DACA recipients to remain in the country without including provisions that would target other undocumented immigrants, hence the term "clean" Dream Act.
The protesters also called for the administration to stop its rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is offered to citizens of certain countries impacted by war and violence or natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Last month, the Trump administration ended TPS protections for Haitians and Nicaraguans displaced by natural disasters, forcing thousands of legal residents to either leave the United States before their status expires or face deportation.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) addressed the crowd on Wednesday, with Gutierrez vowing to not vote for the budget unless it includes a clean Dream Act.
\u201cWe cannot wait to pass the Dream Act. We cannot wait a day longer \u2014 don\u2019t fix this in January, fix it now. #DreamActNow\u201d— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1512580475
Gutierrez, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and national leaders of United Farm Workers were reportedly among the hundreds who were arrested for peacefully demonstrating on the steps of the Capitol building.
\u201c#BREAKINGNEWS! .@UFWupdates President & .@UFWF Board President .@ArtieRodriguez, .@RepJudyChu , .@RepGutierrez .@Angelica Salas are being arrested at nations capitol calling for clean #DREAMActNow #CleanDreamActNOW .@LaCampesina883 .@UNITEDWEDREAM .@FWD_us .@Re4mImmigration\u201d— United Farm Workers (@United Farm Workers) 1512590236
\u201c#BREAKING: Hundreds of #DreamActNow protesters facing arrest on the steps to the Capitol.\u201d— Alejandro Alvarez (@Alejandro Alvarez) 1512588262
The group Popular Democracy said it was "one of the largest" acts of civil disobedience in the history of the U.S. immigrant rights movement.
\u201cTODAY 15,000+ people, community leaders and advocates will gather in DC to demand Congress to take immediate action and pass a clean #DreamActNow & #SaveTPS --in what is one of the largest ever civil disobedience in immigrant rights movement history of the US!\u201d— Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5 (@Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5) 1512568251
Some marchers with DACA status shared the number of days they are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. before they will face possible deportation.
\u201cWe're at the #DreamActNow rally in Washington, DC, telling congress to pass a Dream Act NOW! Our teammate Blanca is worth more than 358 days.\u201d— ACLU People Power (@ACLU People Power) 1512579119
\u201c"It's important for me to pass a clean #DreamActNow because even tho I have 365 days, I have family members who's DACA have already expired."\n\nCall on behalf of Marvin who needs a clean #DreamActNow! We need your support today. \n\n\u260e\ufe0f CALL: (215) 874-6784\u201d— United We Dream (@United We Dream) 1512586247
Those who were unable to march were urged to call their members of Congress to encourage them to pass a Dream Act for DACA recipients that is potentially more expansive than the terminated program and that does not endanger other immigrants who will not be eligible for protections.
\u201cMAKE A CALL. It really, really helps. \nWe're shooting for 10,000 calls and only 200 have been made so far.\nWE CAN DO THIS! \nGet all the info and scripts you need at https://t.co/7tEwEk2z0p\n\n#DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512576992
Organizers and demonstrators shared photos and videos from the march with the hashtags #DreamActNow and #SaveTPS.
\u201cSigns of every size and color demanding a #DreamActNow are adorning the Senate Upper Park\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cThis is what democracy looks like #CleanDREAMact #DreamActNow #ProtectTPS\u201d— NAPAWF (@NAPAWF) 1512589065
\u201cThe people united, will never be DEFEATED! We have taken over Congress and we aren\u2019t going anywhere. HERE TO STAY! \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25 #DreamActNow #SaveTPS https://t.co/D7LN6Humh7\u201d— Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b (@Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b) 1512588262
\u201c#DreamActNow\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1512581599
An Unconstitutional Rampage
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
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As undocumented young people lose their temporary protected status and Republican lawmakers push for legislation that would ramp up deportations, an estimated 15,000 people marched on Capitol Hill Wednesday while hundreds--including two lawmakers--were arrested in a peaceful protest to demand that Congress pass a clean Dream Act.
\u201cOur movement has the best MUSIC! Chanting \u201cWe Gon\u2019 Be Alright!\u201d as thousands rally for #DREAMActNow and #SaveTPS @UNITEDWEDREAM\u201d— Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b (@Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b) 1512584357
\u201cThe great folks from @MaketheRoadNY have arrived to the #DreamActNow rally!\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cHappening now: Hundreds are on the Capitol steps putting their bodies on the line to demand a clean Dream Act #DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512588244
The Dream Act, first introduced in Congress in 2001, would enable undocumented people who were brought to the United States as children and meet other criteria to remain in the United States legally. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, implemented by former President Barack Obama, was seen as a temporary fix until Congress could agree on legislation that addressed the status of this group.
Since the Trump admininstration announced in September its plans to phase out the DACA program--with no legislation in place to provide similar protections--immigrant rights advocates have increased the pressure on legislators to pass a bill that allows DACA recipients to remain in the country without including provisions that would target other undocumented immigrants, hence the term "clean" Dream Act.
The protesters also called for the administration to stop its rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is offered to citizens of certain countries impacted by war and violence or natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Last month, the Trump administration ended TPS protections for Haitians and Nicaraguans displaced by natural disasters, forcing thousands of legal residents to either leave the United States before their status expires or face deportation.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) addressed the crowd on Wednesday, with Gutierrez vowing to not vote for the budget unless it includes a clean Dream Act.
\u201cWe cannot wait to pass the Dream Act. We cannot wait a day longer \u2014 don\u2019t fix this in January, fix it now. #DreamActNow\u201d— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1512580475
Gutierrez, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and national leaders of United Farm Workers were reportedly among the hundreds who were arrested for peacefully demonstrating on the steps of the Capitol building.
\u201c#BREAKINGNEWS! .@UFWupdates President & .@UFWF Board President .@ArtieRodriguez, .@RepJudyChu , .@RepGutierrez .@Angelica Salas are being arrested at nations capitol calling for clean #DREAMActNow #CleanDreamActNOW .@LaCampesina883 .@UNITEDWEDREAM .@FWD_us .@Re4mImmigration\u201d— United Farm Workers (@United Farm Workers) 1512590236
\u201c#BREAKING: Hundreds of #DreamActNow protesters facing arrest on the steps to the Capitol.\u201d— Alejandro Alvarez (@Alejandro Alvarez) 1512588262
The group Popular Democracy said it was "one of the largest" acts of civil disobedience in the history of the U.S. immigrant rights movement.
\u201cTODAY 15,000+ people, community leaders and advocates will gather in DC to demand Congress to take immediate action and pass a clean #DreamActNow & #SaveTPS --in what is one of the largest ever civil disobedience in immigrant rights movement history of the US!\u201d— Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5 (@Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5) 1512568251
Some marchers with DACA status shared the number of days they are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. before they will face possible deportation.
\u201cWe're at the #DreamActNow rally in Washington, DC, telling congress to pass a Dream Act NOW! Our teammate Blanca is worth more than 358 days.\u201d— ACLU People Power (@ACLU People Power) 1512579119
\u201c"It's important for me to pass a clean #DreamActNow because even tho I have 365 days, I have family members who's DACA have already expired."\n\nCall on behalf of Marvin who needs a clean #DreamActNow! We need your support today. \n\n\u260e\ufe0f CALL: (215) 874-6784\u201d— United We Dream (@United We Dream) 1512586247
Those who were unable to march were urged to call their members of Congress to encourage them to pass a Dream Act for DACA recipients that is potentially more expansive than the terminated program and that does not endanger other immigrants who will not be eligible for protections.
\u201cMAKE A CALL. It really, really helps. \nWe're shooting for 10,000 calls and only 200 have been made so far.\nWE CAN DO THIS! \nGet all the info and scripts you need at https://t.co/7tEwEk2z0p\n\n#DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512576992
Organizers and demonstrators shared photos and videos from the march with the hashtags #DreamActNow and #SaveTPS.
\u201cSigns of every size and color demanding a #DreamActNow are adorning the Senate Upper Park\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cThis is what democracy looks like #CleanDREAMact #DreamActNow #ProtectTPS\u201d— NAPAWF (@NAPAWF) 1512589065
\u201cThe people united, will never be DEFEATED! We have taken over Congress and we aren\u2019t going anywhere. HERE TO STAY! \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25 #DreamActNow #SaveTPS https://t.co/D7LN6Humh7\u201d— Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b (@Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b) 1512588262
\u201c#DreamActNow\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1512581599
As undocumented young people lose their temporary protected status and Republican lawmakers push for legislation that would ramp up deportations, an estimated 15,000 people marched on Capitol Hill Wednesday while hundreds--including two lawmakers--were arrested in a peaceful protest to demand that Congress pass a clean Dream Act.
\u201cOur movement has the best MUSIC! Chanting \u201cWe Gon\u2019 Be Alright!\u201d as thousands rally for #DREAMActNow and #SaveTPS @UNITEDWEDREAM\u201d— Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b (@Daniel Altschuler \ud83e\udd8b) 1512584357
\u201cThe great folks from @MaketheRoadNY have arrived to the #DreamActNow rally!\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cHappening now: Hundreds are on the Capitol steps putting their bodies on the line to demand a clean Dream Act #DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512588244
The Dream Act, first introduced in Congress in 2001, would enable undocumented people who were brought to the United States as children and meet other criteria to remain in the United States legally. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, implemented by former President Barack Obama, was seen as a temporary fix until Congress could agree on legislation that addressed the status of this group.
Since the Trump admininstration announced in September its plans to phase out the DACA program--with no legislation in place to provide similar protections--immigrant rights advocates have increased the pressure on legislators to pass a bill that allows DACA recipients to remain in the country without including provisions that would target other undocumented immigrants, hence the term "clean" Dream Act.
The protesters also called for the administration to stop its rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which is offered to citizens of certain countries impacted by war and violence or natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Last month, the Trump administration ended TPS protections for Haitians and Nicaraguans displaced by natural disasters, forcing thousands of legal residents to either leave the United States before their status expires or face deportation.
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) addressed the crowd on Wednesday, with Gutierrez vowing to not vote for the budget unless it includes a clean Dream Act.
\u201cWe cannot wait to pass the Dream Act. We cannot wait a day longer \u2014 don\u2019t fix this in January, fix it now. #DreamActNow\u201d— Kamala Harris (@Kamala Harris) 1512580475
Gutierrez, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), and national leaders of United Farm Workers were reportedly among the hundreds who were arrested for peacefully demonstrating on the steps of the Capitol building.
\u201c#BREAKINGNEWS! .@UFWupdates President & .@UFWF Board President .@ArtieRodriguez, .@RepJudyChu , .@RepGutierrez .@Angelica Salas are being arrested at nations capitol calling for clean #DREAMActNow #CleanDreamActNOW .@LaCampesina883 .@UNITEDWEDREAM .@FWD_us .@Re4mImmigration\u201d— United Farm Workers (@United Farm Workers) 1512590236
\u201c#BREAKING: Hundreds of #DreamActNow protesters facing arrest on the steps to the Capitol.\u201d— Alejandro Alvarez (@Alejandro Alvarez) 1512588262
The group Popular Democracy said it was "one of the largest" acts of civil disobedience in the history of the U.S. immigrant rights movement.
\u201cTODAY 15,000+ people, community leaders and advocates will gather in DC to demand Congress to take immediate action and pass a clean #DreamActNow & #SaveTPS --in what is one of the largest ever civil disobedience in immigrant rights movement history of the US!\u201d— Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5 (@Center for Popular Democracy\ud83d\udca5) 1512568251
Some marchers with DACA status shared the number of days they are legally allowed to remain in the U.S. before they will face possible deportation.
\u201cWe're at the #DreamActNow rally in Washington, DC, telling congress to pass a Dream Act NOW! Our teammate Blanca is worth more than 358 days.\u201d— ACLU People Power (@ACLU People Power) 1512579119
\u201c"It's important for me to pass a clean #DreamActNow because even tho I have 365 days, I have family members who's DACA have already expired."\n\nCall on behalf of Marvin who needs a clean #DreamActNow! We need your support today. \n\n\u260e\ufe0f CALL: (215) 874-6784\u201d— United We Dream (@United We Dream) 1512586247
Those who were unable to march were urged to call their members of Congress to encourage them to pass a Dream Act for DACA recipients that is potentially more expansive than the terminated program and that does not endanger other immigrants who will not be eligible for protections.
\u201cMAKE A CALL. It really, really helps. \nWe're shooting for 10,000 calls and only 200 have been made so far.\nWE CAN DO THIS! \nGet all the info and scripts you need at https://t.co/7tEwEk2z0p\n\n#DreamActNow\u201d— National Immigration Law Center (@National Immigration Law Center) 1512576992
Organizers and demonstrators shared photos and videos from the march with the hashtags #DreamActNow and #SaveTPS.
\u201cSigns of every size and color demanding a #DreamActNow are adorning the Senate Upper Park\u201d— Juan Escalante (@Juan Escalante) 1512580853
\u201cThis is what democracy looks like #CleanDREAMact #DreamActNow #ProtectTPS\u201d— NAPAWF (@NAPAWF) 1512589065
\u201cThe people united, will never be DEFEATED! We have taken over Congress and we aren\u2019t going anywhere. HERE TO STAY! \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25 #DreamActNow #SaveTPS https://t.co/D7LN6Humh7\u201d— Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b (@Make the Road NY \ud83e\udd8b) 1512588262
\u201c#DreamActNow\u201d— ACLU (@ACLU) 1512581599
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