A protest of Arizona’s new immigration law, which went into effect Thursday, was held at 8 p.m. Tuesday night in the form of a candlelight vigil conducted by a Lubbock grassroots organization at Frank Higginbotham Park in Lubbock.
The Lubbock grassroots organization and Citizens in United Discourse Against Discrimination (CIUDAD), along with Lubbock residents, gathered to show their unity against Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which some argue is a violation of civil liberties.
Daniel Sanchez, founder and president of CIUDAD, said the purpose of the candlelight vigil was to demonstrate to the Lubbock community, in a peaceful way, the organization’s objection to having a similar law pass in Texas.
“It is our civil rights that are being taken away from us if this law passes,” Sanchez said. “We should not have to be constantly asked for authorization because of the way we look.”
At the event, protestors held handmade signs and waved American flags as they gathered around in a circle and were given the chance to discuss their views on Arizona’s new law.
Kate Hutson, who has been involved with CIUDAD since it started and is the pastor of a local church, spoke her mind at the event.
“I believe this law is wrong because it supports racial profiling,” Hutson said. “It isn’t fair for a law enforcement officer to just ask a person for authorization because he suspects him to be an illegal alien by the color of his skin.”
Hutson said she is not going to turn anyone away from her church because they are not carrying their authorization papers with them, and she will not dare ask all members of her church to show their papers before they are allowed into the church.
“The church is about accepting everyone,” Hutson said, “and I am not going to turn someone away who is hungry for the Lord.”
At the end of the speeches was the lighting ceremony, which was performed to show those driving or walking by the park that there are people who are in unity against Arizona’s immigration law.
Also at the candlelight vigil were some who support Arizona’s enactment of Senate Bill 1070.
Dan Gregory, a U.S. Navy veteran, was there to show he is in agreement with the Arizona law.
“It provides remedy for someone who is wrongly accused,” he said. “All they have to do is show their authorization papers and no harm done.”
Gregory and his friend, Rick Bussinger, said their main reason for agreeing with the Arizona law is because of the drugs and killings that are taking place. They also believe it is not right, especially in this economy, for anyone residing in the United States to not pay an income tax.
“There are 12 to 20 million illegal aliens in the U.S.,” Bussinger said. “God knows what they are doing and how many jobs they are taking away from Americans.”
Both Gregory and Bussinger said the law is not about color and is simply about following the rules.
The candlelight ceremony ended peacefully at 9 p.m., but the debate is still going strong in Lubbock.