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As she moved in tune with the dull roar of the crowd, Sharon Kaya and other demonstrators persistently yelled out, “Bush escucha: si se puede, si se puede,” at the recent pro-immigration rally in Washington, D.C. The Spanish phrase meaning, “Bush listen: we can do it, we can do it,” represented the clear, but sometimes tacit sentiments that make up the immigration debate.

Along with more than 5,000 others, Kaya held up signs in both English and Spanish around the Capitol. The group was small in comparison to the number that came out for the spring rallies earlier this year. Those events, advertised by radio DJs and word of mouth, brought tens of thousands to the streets and made a splash in the day’s headlines.

The low turnout came as a blow to the National Capital Immigration Coalition (NCIC), who expected crowds to “spill over into the streets.” Since the first marches four months ago, the House and Senate have stalled movement of the bills. The press reported low turnout at the other immigration events nationwide.

The Washington rally was one of a series of Labor Day weekend events across the country. Other events included a Chicago march to the Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and rallies in Phoenix and Los Angeles. 

Even with the small number, participants such as Kaya held sway in voice.

“All the oppressed must stand together in order to make a difference,” Kaya said. “After all, that is what democracy is all about. Action is what we bring to lawmakers in order to get situations changed.”

The NCIC and the We Are America Alliance organized the Sept. 7^th march to urge members of Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform before the November elections. 

“An overwhelming majority of Americans believes that our immigration system is broken and wants Congress to find a real solution,” said Jaime Contreras, president of the NCIC.  “We will call for comprehensive immigration reform to protect all workers and stop dividing our families.” 

The NCIC argued against proposals HR4437 and S2611, criminalizing undocumented citizens and making it a felony to live in the United States. Although Contreras said the immigration reform is not particularly Latino issue, the majority of rally participants came from Hispanic backgrounds.

“I went to the march as a way to show my solidarity,” Kaya said. “I thought it was interesting to see more than just the Latinos there. I was very happy to see the Irish contingency show up. It’s a way of networking and seeing who else is working with you toward the same goals.”

For Kaya, speaking in Spanish with rally-goers came naturally despite her Japanese American heritage. She uses her knowledge of the language for her ministry at the New Jersey Grace Community Lutheran Church, where she works with Brazilian pastors. Kaya serves as vicar for the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking group.

“This country was made strong by all those who have sought refuge here, and will continue to be made strong by those who continue to come in and bring their new energies to this country,” Kaya said.

As the debate goes on, Kaya said she remains a staunch supporter of immigration rights, due in part to her faith and beliefs. Kaya represents a rarity being an Asian American woman in the clergy, though her request for reform mirrors many. She is a member of the Gamaliel Foundation, a New Jersey group that serves in social justice campaigns under the Jubilee Interfaith Committee.

Ana Garcia Ashley of Gamaliel’s civil rights of immigrants department said the group has worked for more than 7 years to help develop the nascent reform legislations.

“Now in 2006, you will see massive demonstrations like the march,” Ashley said. “Before that, there were 5 years of incredible uphill battle. The Sept. 11^th attacks were a major setback. No one dared to have demonstrations or gatherings because of the whole sentiment across the country about being attacked by aliens.”

Ashley said she believes that oppression brought on by the Immigration Reform Act of 1996 reminds her of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. In her opinion, the immigrant community still suffers from its repercussions. The act increased criminal penalties for immigration-related offenses and measures to enhance Immigration and Naturalization Service presence and enforcement at the U.S. border.

Kaya said she recognizes the long anti-immigration and anti-Chinese sentiment in history, and hopes that fellow Asian Americans can overcome what she calls “economic and social oppression.”

“It’s a cultural thing,” Kaya said. “If Asians are undocumented, they would probably feel that they have no right to say anything. I know that on the part of understanding my own Asian culture that you don’t make waves; you don’t publicly get out and express what you really feel. I understand why, but I wish it wasn’t true because we need everybody to speak up.”