An estimated 8,000 to 10,000 people rallied with a candlelight vigil at Sloan’s Lake on Monday night to remember those who lost their lives attempting to cross the border from Mexico in search of a better life.
Those at the vigil, which topped off a day of immigration protests around the state and nation, also called for equality, justice and for Congress to fix the “broken” immigration system.
It is a system, protesters said, that forces them into an illegal status and which they blame for the deaths of thousands who attempted crossing rivers and deserts to enter the United States without detection.
“When we circle this lake with candlelight it is for all those who died,” said Paul Lopez, one of the organizers of the event.
“There are a lot of people who sacrificed to become an American citizen,” Lopez said. “Today, we say enough is enough.”
Lopez, speaking over a public address system, reminded the gathering they are not criminals – they are workers.
Another of the organizers, Ricardo Martinez, said: “It shouldn’t be illegal to feed your children.”
The thousands crowded around the boathouse on the north shore of the lake and shouted “si se puede” – it can be done – as the speakers continually urged them to demand that the “broken” immigration policy of the United States be fixed.
Those in the crowd waved dozens of American flags. There were several Mexican flags, as well, and even one Cuban flag bearing the likeness of revolutionary Che Guevera.
The crowd included many families with children. Some carried pictures of loved ones who died trying the border crossing.
Antonio Cruz, 6, held a poster memorializing his grandfather, Antonio Mendoza, who died in El Paso, Texas, “trying to come back to his family” on Dec. 4, 2005.
The organizers said more than 4,000 men, women and children have lost their lives attempting the crossing.
Gabriela Flora, of the American Friends Service Committee, said those who died were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, nephews and nieces.
The candles lighted Monday night represent “the hope that this country can live up to what it stands for,” she said.
Juan Evangelista, of the youth group Jovenes Unidos, said: “We are all human beings, and we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We are part of this country.”
TroyLynn Yellow Word, co-founder of the Red Earth Women’s Alliance, said: “This thing called the border is like a scar on sister earth.”
The thousands in attendance then spread out along the roughly 2-mile path around the lake to “surround” the lake with their candlelight.
At the same time, the scene was lighted by a nearly full moon in a nearly cloudless sky.
Staff writer Jim Kirksey can be reached at 303-820-1448 or jkirksey@denverpost.com.
