Rally calls for election integrity, protections for migrants
CALEXICO — Demonstrators who participated in a peaceful rally here Saturday morning called to preserve the integrity of the election and to protect the dignity of immigrants.
Participants gathered at the water fountain in front of the downtown pedestrian port of entry on East First Street and voiced their desire for immigrants who reside in the United States to be respected.
The rally demanded three things: that all votes are counted, that there is a peaceful transition of power and that migrant rights be respected no matter which political candidates end up in power.
This took place at 11 a.m. — around the same time it was announced Joe Biden had secured the U.S. presidency.
A number of
“Biden- Harris” signs present at the rally signaled support for the result. Other signs were more assertive, with messages such as, “Trump doesn’t care 4 U”; “If the people unite, change can be done,” “We are in stolen land” and “We the people demand change.”
The rally was an independent event. However, it was held in conjunction with rallies that the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) was holding Saturday throughout the state.
CHIRLA reportedly organized a rally in Mexicali, at the Tijuana/San Diego international border and in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Bay Area residents and labor council reps reportedly gathered in San Francisco to demand that democracy be respected and that every vote be counted in the presidential election.
Saturday’s event here was organized by Calexico resident Raul Ureña, the presumptive winner of a seat on the City Council on Tuesday.
Also in attendance was El Centro resident Sonia Carter, who was a candidate for the El Centro City Council.