With shouts of ‘Si, se puede,’ or ‘Yes, we can,’ in english, thousands of people gathered in War Memorial Plaza last night to protest proposed immigration reforms being debated on the federal level.
The version that passed the US House in December makes illegal immigrants felons, and Tennessee Senator Bill Frist’s proposed version would make being in the country illegally a misdemeanor.
Nelson Londono is originally from Chile and now works in the air-conditioning business here in Nashville. He’s a legal citizen now, but supports rights for illegal immigrants.
“Ten years ago I was illegal too, and I come to the United States because we have problems in my country, and it took me ten years to become a US citizen. Today my son is in the Air Force serving this country, and I’m proud. A lot of people that come to this country, they coming to work to make this country great, so I support them for that.”
Many at the peaceful demonstration voiced support for Tennessee’s driving certificate law which allows immigrants to take driving exams and drive, even if they can’t prove they’re here legally. The program was suspended briefly this year and several bills have been filed in the state legislature to get rid of the program altogether.
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