RALLY TO COUNTER TRUMP AGENDA, LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

By Rafael Collado

Why we protest.

We should have seen it coming. I did, but I understand people's skepticism when I say so. The truth is that it seemed so unlikely because his behavior was so out of the ordinary, so outrageous, that most people simply assumed it wasn't going to happen.

But it did.

I knew it was possible beforehand because a quick analysis of the sentiments of the electorate revealed a deep distrust and discontent the status quo, for various reasons, varying by ethnicity, class, and level of education. That, to me, explained his, at the time, increasing viability. He wasn't in line with the party, which tried to stop him, which means that his rise was solely based on popular, grassroots support.

The opposing party had the diametric antithesis of that in the movement that propelled Bernie Sanders, but chose to throw all of their support on Clinton's campaign, which is characteristically status quo, and had no grassroots support. I thought, as it happened, that it was a big mistake. 

The second mistake was Clinton's over reliance on her base, openly alienating and generalizing a sector of the working class. I still thought a Clinton win was more plausible, but not guaranteed by any means. And then it happened. The earth rumbled with the jaws of humanity hitting the floor. Donald Trump, of The Apprentice, of the countless lawsuits for fraudulent business behavior, of the accusations of racial discrimination in his properties, of the open letter calling for the execution of a group of African American teens who were later acquitted after DNA tests proved them innocent. 

His signature hairstyle took a backseat to the constant and blatant falsehoods, his clear contempt for minorities, the goading of his supporters into violently assailing black people at his rallies, even those who were there to support him, and of course, the theme of his coming out party: his insulting, inhumane, and factless characterization of Mexican immigrants and Mexican culture. Of Muslim immigrants and their cultures.

He took office, and put together a nightmarish cabinet comprised of notorious white supremacists, profoundly ignorant religious fanatics, and compassionless Capitalists. The richest and least educated cabinet in history. While all the ingredients of a class war, a race war, and a possible international war were there, some, including me, hoped for a minute that it was only campaign talk and once in office he would come to his senses. 

Sadly, he meant every single word he said (except for his promise to kick business interests out of government), and in just 10 days he has put the world upside down. Going through with his insane promise of trying to force Mexico to pay for an extremely expensive border wall, which has been reasoned more on unfounded prejudices than on facts, an issue which has predictably put Mexican-American relations in crisis, culminating so far in Trump threatening the sovereignty of Mexico with military action.

Also, and vastly more disruptive, cruel, and unconstitutional, he has restricted entrance to the country from people of 7 specific countries, including Syria, which is going through a holocaust where precious, beautiful children have seen and suffered unimaginable horrors. This ban is extended to people who already have green cards or permanent residentship status, who have lived and worked legally in the States for years.

The reasoning behind this ban, which has immediately turned into a crises of multiple natures, is allegedly protecting the US from Islamic terrorism. This creates quite a bit of cognitive dissonance for me, knowing that the biggest bank roller of terrorist groups is Saudi Arabia, which is NOT included on the list, and curiously, has not faced any type of intervention by previous administrations. There are private business relationships that are not to be disrupted between the two countries, even if it means overlooking the massive quantity of extremism it produces.

So I stand here today in support of the Muslim families I have been lucky enough to know. These people are some of the most educated, generous, and sophisticated people I know, more so than the average American. They don't have a single violent bone in their bodies. I protest the discrimination against them and their beautiful culture, in respect for their historical contributions to philosophy, arts, and science. 

I am here to show, to whomever is here to witness, that they are not alone, and that I will protect their dignity and their rights as long as I am able. Here are some facts: A study published in 2015 found that people in America are seven times as likely to be killed by a Right-Wing extremist than a Muslim attacker. Despite this, in an abhorrent show of white supremacy, the Trump administration wants a federal counter-terrorism program to stop focusing on violent white supremacists and any other extremist groups not comprised of Muslims.

 Another disturbing fact: the American police murders an average of 1,200 American citizens a year. If Trump had the safety of its citizens as a priority, he would be focusing on these more immediate threats. The fact that he is not, reveals that these executive orders are purely based on xenophobia, nationalism, and racism.

I am also here to stand for and defend Mexican culture, so, so rich and colorful, and generous, and multifaceted. I am here to point out that a project that will most likely cost billions of dollars to tax payers is based on prejudice and not facts. And I mean objetive, material facts; not "alternative" facts. El Paso and Las Cruces, bordering with a notoriously violent Mexican city, 

Ciudad Juarez, actually have some of the very lowest crime rates in the US. Multiple studies have shown that the crime rate of immigrants is lower than that of non-immigrant citizens in most communities. More surprisingly, more Mexicans are leaving the U.S. than are arriving, and net migration from Mexico has fallen to zero. Aso, patterns reflected in incarceration rates show that immigrants, including Mexican immigrants, are less likely to commit crimes and be incarcerated than the native-born. 

They pay billions in taxes, and do not have access to benefits. American taxpayers are about to get billions of dollars stolen from them to fund a completely unnecessary project, based on no objective facts. It's not a scholarly decision, it's just racism.

Lastly, I am here to make a case for the underrated and forgotten tradition of direct action, such as strikes, boycotts, and protests. Democracy is not limited to electoral politics. In fact the biggest social advancements have been achieved by acts of civil disobedience, not through the ballot box. Taking to the streets is also democracy, even more so than voting is.

This is why I'm here. This is why I protest.

"I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will be as one."