Collegiate Times

With Monday's protests over immigration legislation having dominated the front pages nationwide, student organizer Monica Raugitinane believes that Tech's demonstration fit right in.

?It went really well, it flowed really well ? We only got one negative response (from) one random person driving by,? said Raugitinane, a sophomore communication major.

A small, silent gathering of students celebrated the National Day of Action on Immigration Rights on the War Memorial Chapel Roof Monday, taking part in a nationwide protest against legislation that could impede immigration to the United States.

Representative James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., recently proposed a piece of legislation, which would put a fence between the U.S.-Mexico border, deport any illegal alien, and charge those who aid illegal citizens in staying in the country with felonies.

?We wanted to join protesters all across the nation, but we couldn't do something on the large scale like other cities, so we just wanted to get students to come out and participate and raise awareness within the Blacksburg community, ? Raugitinane said, who helped lead efforts to organize the event. ?We had a good turnout of about 40 students come and support this cause.?

Students wore white shirts to symbolize peace and held a banner that read ?Liberty and Justice for All,? while quietly assembling in front of the Pylons that serve as a reminder of those in the Tech community who have died in wars protecting rights - including the right to assemble.

?Even though we did want to call attention to the issue, we kept the protest quiet and peaceful out of respect for the location and the group who helped us to secure the site,? Raugitinane said.

Latin Link, a student organization on campus that supports Hispanics in the Virginia Tech community helped the organizers get access to the highly visible location while not officially sponsor the event. The 560 Hispanics on campus make up .02 percent of the student population here.

While standing with the banner, the protestors debated the merits of immigration with passersby such as graduate student Charles Smith.

?I'm not against immigration, I think it's what has made this country great, but should people who go about the process illegally be granted the same rights as those who do it the right way? It comes down to the principle of how much we can control our borders, and I also think we should be looking outside of our borders and see if we can do anything to help the economic situations of these countries so their citizens won't want to leave,? Smith said.

While the majority of students at the event were Hispanic, the pending legislation has effects reaching far beyond Latin American issues. Several of the protesters were from other countries, including Iranian Behnaz Bonyadian, sophomore biology and international studies major.

?I came out to support this cause today because I've only lived in the U.S. for five years ? and to stress the importance of diversity in this country, and also to represent my country,? said Bonyadian. ?When I tell people that I don't have a green card, they immediately think I'm an illegal citizen, but I have a visa which allows me to be here legally, so I'm also out here to clear the negative stereotypes that many people have about immigrants.?

Raugitinane, responding to national news coverage, said that she expected more of the same from the now-mobilized Latino community.

?I saw the news clips from last night and this morning and I'm really, really excited ? I can tell that this is only the beginning,? she said.