March 10, 2006, Immigrant Rights Demonstration: Artist's Statement.
by Andrea Erazo

The moment that I stepped outside on the morning of March 10, 2006, I knew that I was walking into something very grand and historic. I noticed small groups of people walking together in the same direction. Teenagers, adults and even preschoolers all had the same look of excitement and determination. Unity was the key as family vans were being offered to shuttle back and forth to Union Park. There were grumblings about the Minute Men showing up and raining on the parade—but that wasn’t going stop the event that was about to occur.

I was overwhelmed seeing the mass of people that had gathered to march. Flags of Mexico, Venezuela and Ireland waved right alongside the American flags. It was heartbreaking to see so many signs crying out “I need my parents with me.” “I am a citizen, my parents are not. Am I a criminal?” As a daughter of legalized Ecuadorian immigrants, I realized then that I am one of the very lucky ones. Lucky that my parents are here and I can see them whenever I would want.

And yet, this sentiment was carried out with smiles. I had expected to see anxiousness and despair, but instead I saw happiness and relief—relief that, finally, all immigrants have seized this opportunity to take a public stand.

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