The Latino Policy Forum held a rally Sept. 21, just after a vote was held the National Defense Authorization Act that included the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) as well as provisions for the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act.
In light of the vote that took place just minutes earlier regarding the defense-authorization measure, Reyna Hernandez, a policy analyst for the forum, delivered a speech that was meant to encourage. “We are gathered here today as immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community to talk about the struggles we have fought for over many years,” she said. “Last week Sen. Reid announced that the defense-authorization bill would be brought to the Senate floor today to be voted on. This vote would have allowed for the DREAM Act and the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ which are important civil-rights provisions. What just happened in the Senate was a vote down for the defense-authorization bill but it doesn’t mean the struggle is over, so we urge Congress to stop the political maneuvering that has happened over the last week. It has to stop and the political maneuvering is not the end of the DREAM Act or the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.”
After her speech a few members of the immigrant community spoke on behalf of the DREAM Act. Then Lee Reinhart, director of We Are Voting Illinois, spoke about DADT, telling the audience he was disappointed in the Senate vote. Reinhart also stressed the importance of voting in November to hold members of Congress accountable. He then recounted his own military background, noting that he served without any retribution prior to Sept. 11, 2001. He had retired before 9/11 but after the attacks he re-joined with the Coast Guard; however, after only six months he was discharged based on DADT. Reinhart ended his speech with a call to keep the fight going.
At the end of the rally, Hernandez urged minority groups to work together so developments such as the passage of the DREAM Act and repeal of DADT can happen.