MEDFORD, Ore — Community members in the Rogue Valley joined others across the state in observing the “Day Without an Immigrant,” a nationwide demonstration highlighting the contributions of immigrants.
The event encourages immigrants to refrain from attending school, going to work or shopping for the day as a way to show their economic and social impact. One of several rallies held statewide took place Thursday at Vogel Plaza, where demonstrators gathered from 3 to 5 p.m.
Participants held signs in support of immigrants and chanted during the peaceful protest. The rally was organized by UNETE, a farmworker advocacy organization.
Ivonne Martinez Razo, a fourth-generation immigrant, said she was proud of her family’s history and the role immigrants have played in shaping the country.
“I think immigrants have made this country great,” she said. “I feel like this administration is sadly not seeing the greatness that immigrants bring to this country.”
Dagoberto Morales, director of UNETE, said the event was intended to encourage greater recognition of immigrants’ contributions and to shift blame away from immigrant communities.
“People need to understand the contributions immigrants make,” Morales said. “We don’t have to blame them. We need to blame those who are making poor decisions.”
Additional “Day Without an Immigrant” protests are planned in the coming year.
Oscar Rodriguez is a multimedia journalist at NewsWatch 12. You can reach Oscar at orodriguez@kdrv.com.