I'm at Union Square, just having left the Great Hall at Cooper Union. Union Square
East is divided between two camps: on the side furthest from the park stand the anti-immigration crew, far lesser in number to the pro-immigration group standing across the street. The park and surrounding areas are packed with people protesting on Labor Day the continually-dwindling rights of workers within these United States. Most protests center on the recent anti-immigration law passed in Arizona. Brief bouts of "USA, USA, USA!" from the anti-immigration side are met with a strange, "You're not native!" cry from the pro-immigration protesters.
The signs from the anti-immigration side far outnumber those of the pro-immigration side:
"Hispanics against illegal immigration."
"Arizona: Doing the job the FEDS won't do."
"Illegals kill 25 Americans every day."
"Support Arizona."
"Not violent. Not racist. No amnesty for illegal aliens."
"Illegals take jobs away from minority Americans."
From the pro-immigration side (there is only one sign visible):
"Si, se puede," and two stuffed clouds on sticks with crosses through their eyes.
The crowd is physically divided by a street, intellectually distanced by shoddy statistics, questionable facts and visible ignorance of the larger issues of immigration reform. Not far from them stand those protesting the statehood of Palestine alongside those chanting, "Free Tibet!" It is a menagerie of protest, multi-directional, chaotic and unfocused and reporters weave in and out of the crowds to snap photographs and garner where people stand on the issues. Enlivened, mis-informed debate can be heard emanating from those interviewed, more emotional than fact-based. I snap a few photos, talk to a few people that explain their disgust with Arizona's recent passing of the anti-immigration law and their annoyance with those standing across the street. I listen for as long as I can then stop, walk away and make my way to the next event, a poetry reading in the Grand Gallery of the National Arts Club near Grammercy. I wade through the New York juxtaposition, a suited spectator, to the PEN event that will underline the importance of international voices in America.
Map of protest location: here
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