20 Latinos Who Have Something To Say About The 4th Of July 2018
Independence Day in America in 2018 was one of the most conflicting celebrations. The political climate is dark. Currently, there are thousands of children seeking asylum who are being detained by ICE, separated from their families. The Supreme Court just upheld Trump’s Muslim travel ban, and it looks like the court is about to get even more radically conservative.
Most liberals went dark this year. However, the Latinos who had something to say set the Twitterverse on fire. Here’s your run down of July 4, 2018.
1. This ICE protestor scaled the Statue of Liberty.
CREDIT: @BrianPeeke / Twitter
The woman refused to get down and for two hours just chilled in the folds of our Lady’s dress while police tried to talk her into getting down. She refused, leading the officers to use ropes and climbing gear in order to reach her. 🤩✊🏽
2. The Internet rallied behind her.
CREDIT: @blazingmexican @RK_Autobody / Twitter
Sure, there were MAGA people having a conniption, but we tip our sombreros to you for the most epic, iconic peaceful protest of the year. #Shero
3. Algunos gente think citizens need to go a step farther in la resistencia.
CREDIT: @whatbriansays / Twitter
If you’re physically taking children away from their parents, you’re committing a human rights violation.
4. Karamo Brown reaffirmed America’s founding commitment to diversity and freedom of expression.
CREDIT: @karamobrown / Twitter
We can’t let MAGA think they own American pride. We know what patriotism looks like and it’s a commitment to our America: where diversity is celebrated, not feared.
5. Emma Gonzalez repped the flag at the beach.
CREDIT: @cameron_kasky / Twitter
It’s called self-care, and reflection. It seems that a lot of us were up to that this year, because as a society, we have a lot of self-reflection to do.
6. Even businesses were prohibiting political discourse.
CREDIT: @ananavarro / Twitter
These are tense times, folks. My whole Latino side of the family from Miami voted for Trump, and are really intense about it. It’s difficult to tolerate for anyone.
7. Some people redubbed the holiday as Immigrant Appreciation Day.
CREDIT: @monteiro / Twitter
And rightly so: seven of the founding fathers were immigrants. Plus, this is stolen land. If anybody has a right to it, it’s Native Americans and Mexicanos.
8. A Milwaukee school created a music video, “The Color of Freedom.”
CREDIT: Jazales Art Studio / YouTube
The video is scripted in both English and Spanish and each of the students tell the camera what freedom means to them.
“We Latinos are refugees still waiting for peace.” 😭
9. Oh, and we misspelled Independance Day and it trended.
CREDIT: @Only4RM / Twitter
Honestly, we’re thriving over here. In the words of the kids in “The Color of Freedom,” “libertad es una educacion buena.”
10. Many organizations seized the moment to encourage people to go out and vote.
CREDIT: @MomsDemand / Twitter
P.S.- Check it out. Moms Demand Action make it easy on you by offering a mobile opt-in that will make updating your voter registration painless. Gracias!
Latinos need to turn out in a big way during midterm elections in November. Nos vamos!!
11. Even celebrities took to Twitter to encourage people to get out and vote.
CREDIT: @JustinaMachado / Twitter
Justina Machado, Puerto Rican star of Netflix’s “One Day at a Time” series threw her support behind Maxine Waters. Just a few days prior, she marched with #FamiliesBelongTogether in LA and met with the Senator.
12. Mira how cute this teen activist is.
CREDIT: @LeahtheActivist / Twitter
Preach, mija. We need more young and old people like her to repair this world. Many people just send America “Get Better Soon” wishes from around the world.
13. Meanwhile, Latinos everywhere carne asada’ed rain or shine.
CREDIT: @TheGueyofLife / Twitter
The rain just adds a smoky flavor. At least that’s what my tío says.
14. While others decided to rep their Latino pride instead.
CREDIT: @kissestomydaddy / Twitter
I get it. America isn’t doing too hot re: human rights standards. Be better or be Mexicana. That’s all.
15. Other folks drew nice hairy vaginas to remind people of the obvious.
CREDIT: @Lily_Bell82 / Twitter
These are triggering times. Roe v Wade could be easily overturned in the near future. Women’s rights are on the brink of violation. Stay vigilant. #UnderHisEye
16. Mostly, Twitter raged about family separation policies.
CREDIT: @LoveForAll24 / Twitter
Which, yes, allegedly ended, but are still problematic. Children can now be detained for an indefinite amount of time in privatized “detention facilities” that are owned by the same folks who own prisons.
17. Families especially took to Twitter.
CREDIT: @ConnieBombaci / Twitter
It’s hard to be grateful for your family while hearing the cries of children in ICE facilities on your daily podcast. If you were with your family this year, post about it. #EndFamilySeparation #LoveThisFamily
18. I’m screaming for these hombres who reminded people what America looks like.
CREDIT: @chefduradero67 / Twitter
Nobody is illegal on stolen land. This land is ours. Get over it already. This country was built on immigrant and by immigrants.
19. Memes took center stage.
CREDIT: @JohnLeguizamo / Twitter
While millions of families celebrated with barbecues, fireworks and pool time, thousands of families are still separated. Children are thousands of miles away from their parents because of a Trump administration “zero tolerance” policy.
20. True story: most of us were just panicking over the fireworks.
CREDIT: @nissbit / Twitter
Don’t even play. We inherit it from our mothers.
