SAN ANTONIO — On Tuesday night, dozens of people gathered in Pearsall Park and used the light from their phones to form a circle, as if holding candles. Some spoke into a microphone that sometimes failed them, and their comments were sometimes lost in the roar of the storm. Some of the listeners fought back tears as they listened.
The day before, authorities discovered 46 bodies and several more in a burning tractor-trailer near Lackland Air Force Base, about five miles from the park. Five people who were among the 16 people rescued from the caravan later died in local hospitals. The handful of people who showed up for the evening vigil said they did not want the victims to be forgotten, despite politicians and others being concerned about wrangling over immigration laws.
Andrea Rodriguez, cradling her pet, said: “It’s just that it hits really hard and, like, really close to home.” It’s tragic since most people only learn about it secondhand. And yet, despite widespread media coverage, little seems to change. That Monday, Paloma Arellano, whose family had emigrated from Mexico in 2004, was working in a food truck. The young woman, now 21, expressed an emotional connection with the victims. “I think we’re all a bit tired of things being so intense and difficult when they don’t have to be,”
Arellano added. “We have seen how people are so damaged in terms of their mental health because they had to go through this situation of crossing the border and going through so many problems and difficulties” to get to the United States. Juany Torres learned about the migrants in the caravan when she was at home in San Antonio. As soon as she saw the news, she took a photo and shared it with her family. Torres, whose ancestry is in Mexico, remarked, “I’m a daughter of immigrants.” Because “it is so important to mourn in community and to recognize that the harm that continues to happen to people who are. our neighbours, our community, our city,” the community came together and organized today.
On Monday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said President Joe Biden was to blame for the deaths because “they are the result of his deadly policy of open borders.” Torres expressed dismay at the politicization of the tragedy by Texas leaders. It is “incredibly sad” that the “leaders” of her state view human rights as “political football”, she said. In a partisan way that further incites hatred towards foreign-born people. It was simply. extremely painful to read.
“They try to come here looking for a better life or a better standard of living, fleeing gang violence and poverty,” Trevino explained. As the saying goes, “And then they die here in the United States.” Some participants highlighted the need to honor victims as individuals who are part of loving families. Others said the public must unite to push for reform. “I want people to honor the lives of these people by actually taking action and demanding that our elected officials do more for the immigrant community, in their honor, on their behalf,” said Naiyolis Palomo. As the saying goes, “I want people to remember their humanity”.
