Update: Undocumented immigrant activists call off hunger strike, sit-in

By Kelsey Whipple Mon., Jun. 11 2012 at 6:12 PM

Kelsey Whipple

Campaign organizers have locked the building, so while the two activists can get out if they wish, they would not be able to return, and they cannot bring in additional supporters. In the meantime, they are monitored by campaign employees set up near them, and they slept on a couch in the front room while most of the employees conducted work in the back. The effort is being livestreamed across the Internet, and the protesters have cameras and a laptop inside along with their Gatorade and Pedialyte.

At6:30 p.m., City Councilman Paul Lopez visited the activists and brought in a nurse, who confirmed both were showing early signs of dehydration, Hernandez says. At the same time, an Obama For America representative handed them a typed statement, their second in two days, saying the campaign felt respect for their efforts but urging that "the only permanent solution" is to change the law by passing the DREAM Act. The note placed emphasis on Republican efforts to halt the act's progress.

"The statement has a typo, and they're not even taking the time to review what they're writing," Hernandez says, pointing out that the word "stop" -- as in what Republicans are trying to do -- was missing an S. "This is a joke, and it's not what we're asking for. We know Obama supports our community, but we want him to take action."

Outside, between forty and fifty supporters shouted chants of "Education not deportation!" and watched over the two strikers, who say they have begun to feel the effects of their skipped meals -- namely, a slump in energy. Much of their support stems around the members of the Campaign For the American Dream, who are walking from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. to create awareness for the DREAM Act and immigration reform. The trip began on March 10, and a ticker on its website counts down its remaining time -- starting at 86 days.

Although CAD hopes to complete its walk by November 2, the walkers might adjust their deadline after their Denver pit stop. "What we're doing here in Denver, what's happening right now, will be happening all across the country in days," says Jose Sandoval, who, along with Gomez and four others, is currently walking with the group. "We won't disclose any details, but you just watch. You'll see soon."

Already this morning, supporters were again organizing outside the building. For more information, visit the Campaign for American Dream website.

Tags:

Barack Obama, DREAM Act, immigration, Javier Hernandez, protest, Veronica Gomez

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Benjamin

Or they could choose to stay in Mexico after college and serve their country with their new education and help make Mexico a country worth living in instead of one to flee from, now that sounds like something proud enough to wrap a Mexican flag around on Cinco de Mayo. Stay and fight for your country, like we did ours. Get a good occupation, move into Mexico's upper class, send money back here to your family so you can all move back to that culture and country you say you are so proud of. Ignoring the Catholic church and practicing birth-control is a good place to start.

blah blah blah

Good idea. This is what I would do if I were in their shoes and I'm not being sarcastic. Attend college in Mexico and apply for U.S. Visa in the interim. How ideal is that? They will have their education and when they graduate they can become U.S. citizens.

Benjamin

Hey DREAMERS, your prayers have been answered! : "Top Universities of Mexico"..."Apart from tourism, education is also a major generator of revenue, especially in recent years as more and more students find that the education system in Mexico is as per international standards, but not that expensive. Mexico is home to many prestigious institutes and universities where students from all over the world are enrolled. Providing quality education has become the USP of Mexican universities. http://www.indobase.com/study-abroad/countries/mexico/top-universities.html Universidad De Las Americas Universidad Iberoamericana Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) Universidad de Quintana Roo Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla Universidad Popular de la Chontalpa Universidad Veracruzana Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

Big Fella

Why wasn't ICE waiting outside for them?

Donkey Hotay

Protected from what? Students who want to attend college ?

blah blah blah

Don't you have a job? You sure seem to post incessantly on this website. Also, I guess citizens of countries around the world are KKK member for wanting to have their borders and sovereignty protected. Idiot...

Donkey Hotay

Don't you have a Klan rally to attend ?

blah blah blah

We need to make it harder, not easier on these people who are here illegally. We need to finally send a message that we cannot tolerate this anymore. Charge these students twice, three times as much. They should have to pay for their parents mistakes and learn a lesson. There has got to be a beginning to the end of this illegal alien mess. The line has to be drawn eventually...

Donkey Hotay

HipTip -- they are RESIDENTS of Colorado, regardless of "citizenship", and as such should pay that same as any other RESIDENT.

Guest

You spelled the word "spelled" as "Spelt"....

Donkey Hotay

Bigots are Idiots.

Shantaram

So curious, how are we defining citizens? Is it based on how long they live here legally or illegally? Is that going to be a standard for people from all over the world? Pass a threshold number of years here illegally or be here by a certain age and avoid deportation and then you're legal?

Johnbrown

Actually, it makes perfect sense. Under the Obama administration, more undocumented people have been deported than ever before. And he has the power to sign the executive order that they want, ending the deportation of students. His first term was filled with so much "progressive" work, that I'm sure his second term will surely be amazing! (SNARK!)

Jasmine Sailing

They were BROUGHT here when they were 3 and 4. They've lived their lives here, this is their home. It's not like they're living irresponsibly, they're going to college. And now they're standing up for other young people, like them, who could suddenly lose the only homes they've ever known and be deported to a country they barely (or don't at all) remember.

Danny Escobedo

Dreamers.. stop looking for a handout, Go study and make something for yourself where you were born. Part of living here is knowing that this Nation is governed by laws, you are not an exception.

Donkey Hotay

Russia and Cuba have laws requiring people to remain in the same towns they were born in, unless they get Government permission to move. You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Chinaglenn

Mexicans

Guest

I don't blame immigrants for the state of the U.S. economy. I actually do think the rich are to blame for most of the problems in the United States. But I think there are legitimate reasons for not passing the DREAM Act. 1969, you shouldn't dismiss those who feel it's a huge financial burden to pay additional tax money for students who aren't citizens. Walk in the shoes of the average, working class American who already pays high tax rates and gets little sympathy, and at the same time watches their continual downward mobility. Yes, the tax rates aren't fair, yes, it would be great if there were plenty of jobs and no stupid wars in the Middle East. However, until that time comes the DREAM Act seems inherently unfair and an added burden to citizens who have already reached an economic breaking point. It's not hate, it's reality.

jon

deport them already. i hear Mexico is beautiful this time of year. their parents cut in line and now legal immigrants have to wait forever because of people like this. go to the back of the line and stop cheating. we don't have room in america for everyone who want to come in and we can't afford to take care of the 3rd world anymore. go home, get in line.