We must continue to fight for rights of all immigrants

Cosecha is a movement that is working towards dignity, respect and permanent protection for all documented and undocumented immigrants through nonviolent actions to bring awareness that immigrants are vital assets to the United States as well as bring awareness that deportations separate and tear families apart, often leaving U.S. born children parent(s)less and nowhere to turn.

Cosecha has held two 'Un dia sin inmigrantes' (translated to a day without immigrants). Both with great turn outs, several local Hispanic business owners had closed their business for the day in support for their fellow immigrants, thousands even gathered together, to march down our local streets, holding signs which many read; "Stop separating families," "No ban no wall," "Love trumps hate." A few people also flew their home country flag along with the United States flag and shouted various chants.

The strike that happened in February caused GRPS to have to declare it a snow day. According to WZZM, 75 percent of students have to be in attendance for it to count as a school day and on February 16th only 70 percent of students showed up. Godfrey Lee Public Schools lost 23 percent in state funding when their attendance dropped when only 52 percent of students showed up for classes. Movimiento Cosecha is making in impact on the United States economy. Cosecha begins to prepare for a week long strike in the works to make more of an impact.

Immigrants make up a good portion of America's farm workers, where they harvest tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, carrots and many other produce products. Many also work on dairy farms milking cows. Cows are used to being milked two to three times a day. As Cosecha prepares for the week long strike, what will happen to the cows when they aren’t getting milked? Cows will become ill in the first day or two from not getting milked, by day three they tend to develop mastitis and can die from the infection. So then you go to the store to buy milk in the middle of the strike and there is a shortage of milk and you have to pay $5 a gallon. Or there is a shortage of fruits and vegetables. The schools lose funding, and local businesses close. The little things that you take for granted on a daily basis might not always be there if our immigrant community doesn’t get the respect, dignity and permanent protection they deserve. Stand up, and fight! Hasta que? Hasta la huegla!