By Joseph Barrios
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Hispanic and Chicano advocacy groups around campus will participate in the local branch of a national protest.
The rally is meant to protest immigration issues, including California Proposition 187. The proposition would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving health care and public education.
"If it gets passed, Arizona is next," said Andrea Quijada, president of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztl n (MEChA). "Our reason behind this is we want a useful voice out there."
Quijada said she estimates 250 UA students will attend the rally. MEChA is working along with other Hispanic and Chicano groups on campus as part of a coalition called Juntos Ä Spanish for "together." The rally is the first major cooperative effort by the group.
"Through Juntos, we can tell each other what's going on," said Reuben Morales, co-founder of Juntos. "We hope to work hand-in-hand to work better on campus."
Juntos was founded in February by students to serve as a voice on campus.
Local rally organizers, the Arizona Board of Rights Coalition and the Human Rights Coalition of Arizona are also protesting misconceptions about immigrants in America, including ideas that illegal immigrants are burdens to the economy and that illegal immigrants take jobs away from Americans.
The local protest will take place Sunday starting at 2 p.m. at South Tucson City Hall. Participants will march to Armory Park. Similar rallies and marches will be held around the country.