On September 26, Manatee County’s Latino and immigrant community held a spirited “Dump Trump” rally in Bradenton, followed by a voter registration drive. Around 200 people marched for over an hour in the mid-day heat. Among the marchers were scores of teenagers, families with small children and progressive supporters.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s racism against immigrants backfired about a month ago when five members of Manatee County’s Latino community decided they’d had enough and formed UNO: United Nations Organization. UNO serves to bring hope to oppressed people in Bradenton and to empower and encourage the community to stand up for its rights.
“We feel that there’s a lack in the community of education and involvement within our political process, so in a way, we thank Donald Trump for making his remarks, because he really woke up so many people who might have been sleeping before,” said Junior Salazar, UNO’s Executive Director. “Now they’re wide awake. They’re ready to make a difference. It starts with them getting registered to vote, getting informed about the candidates.”
The rally was an inspiring sight. Mothers wheeled toddlers in strollers and wheelbarrows. Large groups of boys with black UNO shirts trooped together like sports teams. Most stunning of all were the full Aztec regalia worn by Ballet Folklorico Texcalli, whose tribal dances outside the Manatee County Courthouse conjured the beauty and strength of Mexican and Latin American heritage.
Liberation News spoke to several people at the rally about Trump’s remarks and why they decided to march.
“It worries me what could potentially happen if Donald Trump were to change everything up,” said Mariana Mancillas, whose parents came here from Mexico. “He’s trying to make everyone run back to their country. His threats are kinda scary.”
“Trump is very disrespectful,” said Juan Urieta. “He specifically said Mexicans, but it’s not only Mexicans. It’s the whole Central and South America: Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras. He called out everyone. Very disrespectful.”
“The Latino community is known as the ‘Sleeping Giant,” said Luis Soto. “We need to come together. And sometimes in this country it’s not easy. You’re scared you might be deported or you might be separated from your family. But descendants of those families who are here legally should be the voice for those people.”
“What I hope to see in the Latino and immigrant community is a united front to fight for their rights,” said Roberto Ojeda, a volunteer with the Bernie Sanders campaign. “I want to see the US move in the direction of socialism…Immigrants and other marginalized peoples can only stand to benefit from this because it gives them a chance to be as successful as everyone else.”
Liberation also spoke with Lia Tranquilino, UNO’s Director of Volunteer Initiatives. Tranquilino envisions a day when immigrants have equal rights, the opportunity to have their licenses and earned benefits. She remembers spending summertime in the fields as a kid while her parents worked. Her older brother and sister, now successful adults, crossed into the United States on foot from Mexico at the ages of four and five.
“A lot of people are quick to speak, when in reality they don’t know firsthand,” said Tranquilino. “They basically just pull you out by the color of your skin or by what they hear or they see, but they don’t know the facts about what’s going on in Mexico or any other country. If you were to live in a town where basically a shooting happens right in front of your face, then you tell me when it’s okay to run.
“Some people only see the bad. But they don’t see how [immigrants] come over and they work the fields. Without them, who will pick your fields? Who will put your food on your table? When you’re willing to work under hot conditions with very little water, even warm water, then you tell me how it feels,” said Tranquilino.
