In Houston, hundreds of immigrant youth and their allies protested outside the University of Houston last night, where leading Republican candidates for President gathered for their latest debate.
Earlier in the day, the activists had already unfurled a large banner over an overpass calling out candidates, like Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, for their anti-immigrant positions, and leaders wanted to let the candidates know their hateful rhetoric was not welcome on their campus or in their community.
“I will not and cannot ignore the dangerous environment these GOP candidates have created for immigrants, Muslims, women, disabled Americans, and people of color,” wrote Karla Perez, an undocumented leader in Houston, in a new Medium piece yesterday.
“I cannot ignore the fact that tonight, at my home away from home, candidates will probably speak about mass deportation of undocumented immigrants and eliminating DACA. These candidates are talking about me, my immigrant family and my community.”
Hundreds more joined Perez in protesting the bigoted rhetoric from Republicans, marching ahead of the debate to the University of Houston:
María Treviño-Rodríguez, took part in the protest. The 21-year-old Mexican native who held a homemade sign that read, “Dreamers stand against hate.” Treviño-Rodríguez is an undocumented student studying political science at the University of Houston. She is currently benefiting from DACA, president Obama’s immigration policy that protects undocumented students from deportation. “I wanted to make it very clear that we are not afraid, and Houston will not tolerate disrespectful, racist, and xenophobic ideology.”
LIVE on #Periscope: Periscoping the march towards the GOP #HateDebate. https://t.co/9MOg2zjG1b
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 25, 2016
Immigrant youth are currently on their way to face the #HateDebate! #GOPDebate #CantTrustRubio via @UWDHouston -uwdA pic.twitter.com/VlHW0E2YS1
— UnitedWeDream.org (@UNITEDWEDREAM) February 26, 2016
#undocumentedunafraid pic.twitter.com/IL3AbNAPow
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 25, 2016
A Hillary supporter, standing up, fighting back against #HateDebate. We have supporters from everywhere! pic.twitter.com/qh9yS6SDTT
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
The people who made the most sense at the UH #GOPDebate debate were the protesters! #HateDebate #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/UonJMFqoqE
— Yvette A (@Regularisms) February 26, 2016
UH students & the community stand against #HateDebate ✊? pic.twitter.com/PrnOPHgqkB
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
Bernie supporters, Hillary supporters, fight for 15, workers defense, students and so many more groups here to stand against #HateDebate!
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
#HateDebate pic.twitter.com/KJYWVSjaGC
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
Loren, my teacher in the movement!✊? #HateDebate #CantTrustRubio pic.twitter.com/QyZKN0m9Mz
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
Millions of Texans like us are tired of the hateful rhetoric & ideas of these candidates. #HateDebate #GOPdebate pic.twitter.com/M7ERvjjdKc
— TXOrganizingProject (@OrganizeTexas) February 26, 2016
@UHouston #GOPDebate GOPDebate Hundreds of students, workers and ethnicities came together againts the #HateDebate pic.twitter.com/0VobihqfS8
— Adonias Arevalò (@AdoniasArevalo) February 26, 2016
#HateDebate #GOPdebate pic.twitter.com/ApZoSVr5wM
— Adonias Arevalò (@AdoniasArevalo) February 26, 2016
This crowd is lit. ???#HateDebate #CantTrustRubio pic.twitter.com/6A8RNrxZ88
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
Sending all my love to the wonderful people protesting this #HateDebate #GOPDebate. https://t.co/3DjafetA9z
— Anna Castro (@apcastro16) February 26, 2016
Protesting the #hatedebate tonight at school! #UHDebate @TYTNetwork @CNN pic.twitter.com/1qqwnhhe6g
— Amanda Cox (@foxycoxy90) February 26, 2016
Best chant today (created by @ChavezTheRapper).
“Rubio, he’s whack! He wants to send my momma back!” #CantTrustRubio #HateDebate
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016
Cientos alzaron sus voces contra la “retórica del odio” @angenoticias #HateDebate https://t.co/p4imEcP2dP pic.twitter.com/bhZT3b8HTl
— Noticias45Houston (@noticiashouston) February 26, 2016
Immigrant youth & allies who showed up against #HateDebate today. ✊? pic.twitter.com/uvcDAvqIiE
— Karla Perez (@Karla_QP) February 26, 2016