Here are my three daughters. From left to right, DeJae (age 10), Angel (age 9), and Myah (age 8). This is where we prayed and we could see over the sea of people, an estimated peaceful rally of over 75,000 people.

Here is my daugher, who is actually my step-daughter, Angel. This was an extra special day for her because her step-mother and half sister have been deported and are trying to find their way back to the states. The entire day she was focused on her sister and said all throughout the day, "I just want to see my sister."

Here is my eldest daughter, DeJae. She was thrilled to be there and was overwhelmed by how many people were at the rally. She was interviewed, as was I, by the Rocky Mountain News (a local paper-link below) and was quoted as saying, "Mexicans are people just like us." She learned a lot that day about what it meant to be torn between being proud for her heritage as a Mexican, while also wrestling to identify with being an American.

Here is my youngest daughter, Myah. She seemed to have the hardest time with the purpose of the rally, and the idea of the immigration issues that were the topic of the day. Her question was, "Why do they want to send us back to Mexico? Don't they want us here?" This was a day that she really appreciated the story of her grandparents, and she reflected on our trip last summer to Mexico where we visited our family.

Here I am with my daughters at the steps of the capitol where directly behind us the speeches were being held. We made our way to the top and prayed for our families, our people, and our city. I was particularly torn this day because I wanted my daughters to understand the emotion behind this debate. As a Chicano, and a son of Mexican immigrants, I have felt extremely challenged my whole life to assimilate into American culture while holding on to my heritage as a Mexican.

This by far was the most powerful picture of the day for me. I wonder how many people feel like this issue is truly about respecting life...perhaps that is the biggest challenge.

Please click on this link for the audio slide show presentation by the Rocky Mountain News that was done on our family while we were at the march on May 1st, 2006. You'll have to open the link, click on Begin Presentation, then click on the Menu, and select the slide show under the tab labeled Speer Blvd & I25 and let it rip!