On the streets of downtown Houston, May 1, 2006.
Jim Moore reporting for a Houston TV station:
Jim: Juan, I see that you and thousands of other
protesters are
Marching in the streets to demonstrate for your cause. Exactly
What is your cause and what do you expect to accomplish by
This protest?
Juan: We want our rights. We will show you how
powerful we are.
We will bring Houston to its knees!
Jim: What rights?
Juan: Our right to live here...legally. Our right to
get all the
Benefits you get.
Jim: When did you come to the United States?
Juan: Six years ago. I crossed over the border at
night with
Seven other friends.
Jim: Why did you come?
Juan: For work. I can earn as much in a month as I
could in a
Year in Mexico. Besides, I get free health care, our Mexican children
can
Go to school free, if I lose my job I will get welfare, and someday I
Will have the Social Security. Nothing like that in Mexico!
Jim: Did you feel badly about breaking our immigration
laws when
You came?
Juan: No! Why should I feel bad? I have a right to be
here. I
Have a right to amnesty. I paid lots of money for my Social Security and
Green Cards.
Jim: How did you acquire those documents?
Juan: From a guy in Dallas. He charged me a lot of
money too.
Jim: Did you know that those documents were forged?
Juan: It is of no matter. I have a right to be here
and work.
Jim: What is the "right" you speak of?
Juan: The right of all Aliens. It is found in your
Constitution.
Read it!
Jim: I have read it, but I do not remember it saying
anything
About rights for Aliens.
Juan: It is in that part where it says that all men
have Alien rights,
Like the right to pursue happiness. I wasn't happy in Mexico, so I
Came here.
Jim: I think you are referring to the Declaration of
Independence and
That document speaks to unalienable rights . Not Alien rights.
Juan: Whatever.
Jim: Since you are demanding to become an American
citizen, why
Then are you carrying a Mexican Flag?
Juan: Because I am Mexican.
Jim: But you said you want to be given amnesty .
To become a US citizen.
Juan: No. This is not what we want. This is our
country, a part of Mexico
That you Gringos stole from us. We want it returned to its rightful
owner.
Jim: Juan, you are standing in Texas. After wining the
war with Mexico,
Texas became a Republic, and later Texans voted to join the USA.
It was not stolen from Mexico.
Juan: That is a Gringo lie. Texas was stolen. So was
California, New
Mexico and Arizona. It is just like all the other stuff you Gringos
Steal, like oil and babies. You are a country of thieves.
Jim: Babies? You think we steal babies?
Juan: Sure. Like from Korea and Vietnam and China I
see them all
Over the place. You let all these foreigners in, but try to keep us
Mexicans out. How is this fair?
Jim: So, you really don't want to become an American
citizen then.
Juan: I just want my rights! Everyone has a right to
live, work, and
Speak their native language wherever and whenever they please.
That's another thing we demand. All signs and official documents
Should be in Spanish. Teachers must teach in Spanish. Soon, more
People here in Houston will speak Spanish than English. It is our right!
Jim: If I were to cross over the border into Mexico
without proper
Documentation, what rights would I have there?
Juan: None. You would probably go to jail, but that's
different.
Jim: How is it different? You said everyone has the
right to live
Wherever they please.
Juan: You Gringos are a bunch of land grabbing
thieves. Now you want
Mexico too? Mexico has its rights. You Gringos have no rights in Mexico.
Why would you want to go there anyway? There is no free medical
service, schools, or welfare there for foreigners such as you. You
cannot
even own land in my country. Stay in the country of your birth.
Jim: I can see that there is no way that we can agree
on this issue.
Thank you for your comments.
Juan: Viva Mexico!
