Dia Del Migrante Celebrates the Gorge Latino Community
International Migrants day, aims to celebrate the contributions of migrants and draw attention to migrant’s human rights.
Arturo Leyva, Media Organizer for HRLN , Ubaldo Hernandez, Director of Comunidades, Felipe Rayo, Comunidades Organizer, Martha Ortega, HRLN Community Organizer, and Amber Rose HRLN at last nights event. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
White Salmon, WA, December 19, 2023 – Comunidades and Hood River Latino Network (HRLN) hosted a free Dia Del Migrante celebration on Monday, Dec. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the White Salmon Grange.
Some fifty or more community members gathered to enjoy a catered meal by Lake Taco, listen to music, and celebrate the economic and cultural contributions of migrants both locally and worldwide.
Lake Taco serving up tacos, salsa, and smiles. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
International Migrant’s Day also calls attention to migrants' struggles and human rights.
“The biggest barrier is we can’t seem to get an immigration reform, you know, we have DACA but we’ve been years without immigration reform. So that is something that is on our agenda in terms of supporting legislation. Another one is affordable housing, housing costs are out of control, and this is not just a problem for immigrants but for everybody,” said Martha Ortega, HRLN Community Organizer.
Oretga said there was hope to turn the gathering into an annual event.
“It’s the beginning of something great for our Latino community,” said Ortega. “This is the first of many to come.”
The event also featured three local speakers.
Lorena Salazar. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Lornea Salazar of Washington Gorge Action Programs spoke to her personal experience of coming to the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant at the age of nine and the relief of having attained her citizenship in November.
Leoni Montenegro Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Leoni Montenegro, a local woodcrafter, designer and business owner in Hood River spoke to the enduring spirit of latino and hispanic people in the face of difficulty.
Ubaldo Hernandez, Director and Founder of Communidades, spoke to the importance of creating community and the power of community to support and uplift one another and the environment.
Following the speakers, came a performance from a young up-and-coming Hood River band Trayecto Efectivo.
Trayecto Efectivo live at the White Salmon Grange. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Reyes
Communidades which works to amplify the voices of those most impacted by environmental injustice, spoke to the importance of providing spaces to build Latino community.
“The connection between environmental and social justice go hand and hand. Wherever environmental injustice happens, it turns into social injustice, especially for communities of color, and low income communities,” said Ubaldo Hernandez, Director and Founder of Communidades, speaking to the environmental damage of pesticides and the struggle of farmworkers and their families who have been exposed to pesticides resulting in chronic diseases including cancer.
“This is why we are working to empower our communities to advocate for environmentalism. Our main goal is to increase civic engagement. And a big part of this is to make them feel welcome and comfortable in the spaces that we live in,” said Hernandez.
