Collegiate Times

For Christiansburg resident Stephanie Bermudez, the immigrant's rights demonstration held yesterday at the intersection of North Main and College Avenue wasn't about legislation in Washington.

?My husband's from Mexico. I'm in love with an immigrant,? Bermudez said, putting down her sign-and-Mexican-flag combo only to reach for her three-year-old son Conner.

The event, which drew about 20 participants and two children, was the work of political science professor Christopher Clement, who felt even a small-scale demonstration could have a large-scale effect.

?It has a deep impact on a town like Blacksburg that's predominately white, that runs toward the conservative side of things, and shows that we will not just sit around and watch,? Clement said.

Toting signs ranging from ?Honk if you love immigrants? to ?Fascists go home,? the demonstrators were predominately area residents like Mona O'Connell, a substitute teacher from Christiansburg.

?I've seen the injustice immigrants go through in this country,? O'Connell said. O'Connell referenced ?children with arms burned with grease? and immigrants ?working 12-13 hour days and getting paid $3 an hour.?

Fred Hampton, a sophomore Spanish major, became an inadvertent observer - biking past, he decided to take on some homework in the proximity of the demonstration.

?I like it when people start caring ? enough to get out and do something like this,? Hampton said.



Three-year-old Conner's homemade T-shirt made the demonstrators' point best - I'm Latino, my daddy is a Mexican, I (heart) USA.