Bus Riders' Journal:

Boston, Providence, New Haven

Raquel Rocha Matthews
For me this journey is wonderful because when I started I realized the significance of the history of what we were going to do. So for these two days that we've traveled I have looked out and seen such a beautiful view. And I've been thinking about it and thinking how wonderful it is that so many people can come from so far away to Washington, DC, and speak with one voice, and say to the President, you have to make some changes. We need some changes and to me that means a lot, because I say that We the People are the ones that have the power to make some changes. We the People of the United States changed the country many years ago, and we can do this again. This is our obligation. This is what it says in the Constitution, which is a beautiful document. When we have the conscience to understand what is written in that document we understand that we have an obligation as an individual, as an immigrant, and as citizens, to preserve those rights.

Our children will continue this fight. It will always go on because people will always be controversial. We will always have to fight for power, but our goal is to fight for the middle ground, to have balance, between all the differences.

I call on all the immigrants and all the people of the United States? I hear people say that we can't do anything and that they have all the power, the President, the politicians, but it is not true. I'm also calling those politicians, and those who are in power, to come to our cause. It is right because if we give our newcomers good rights, and more opportunities, they will be able to do even better for this country.

Itamar Sangiorgio
The trip is going excellent because in the stops for the public the people have listened to our words and collaborated with us. We exchanged experiences with other people like us. At our stops during the ride, I have appreciated the spirit that our friends in other cities have shown for us. I believe when we act together for ourselves and others the dream becomes stronger. I hope our voice makes a difference for politics and society. Many people need and want better conditions, opportunities, and security in our lives in this country. That is why this movement exists, because we are not so different, we are like one family. That is why I am here on the freedom ride. In this country the law is stronger. I hope that the politicians will hear our demands, because this is our dream, a true dream.

Carlos Galvez
We had a very good welcome in Rhode Island there, with a lot of elected leaders. They were there working together with the people and the labor unions. It seemed the same also in Hartford and New Haven. In New Haven the warm welcome was really great and last night they touched my heart with their spirituality very deeply. And that gave me more force to continue with the fight for justice.
I had a memory of when we came to Washington, DC to fight for the first ABC asylum and for legal permanent residency here. That was in 1997. I hope we will have another victory.

Lorenzo Aldana
First I wanted to say that when I left from Providence I felt very welcome on this bus with everybody from all over the world. And the welcome in Hartford was very happy also. All our hosts have been great and have shared their food and stories with us. I think myself and all of my friends here will win this fight, we have such tremendous energy.

Joseph Moore-Goweh
My impression of the Freedom Ride is that it is very successful at this point. The two rallies we had in Hartford and New Haven, the enthusiasm expressed by the city mayors and council members and the labor unions really stressed the importance of thisfreedom ride and it highlighted the plight of immigrant workers in this country. It also underscored the injustices, the inequalities that are being meted out to undocumented immigrants in this country. I am sure at the end of this ride in New York and Washington, DC, the policy makers in the Bush Administration will reexamine most of the immigration laws on the books as regarding immigrants.

Ana Amaral
I loved it last night when they welcomed us to New Haven. Yesterday night I was so emotional I had to cry. I think we will have other moments like that but they received us so well that I felt like I was a sister of their church. It felt so different, so brilliant, so different, I never expected that. I cried in our bus meeting last night as well. When I went to my room last night I was talking to someone in Boston and I told her you can't imagine how happy I am to be here, in that church last night. Sometimes I can use all the words I can find but I don't know the right words. I don't know how to express it when something is so strong that you feel like you need to cry.

Today in Reading I was counting all of us, and when Gabe started leading us in our chants I thought I might cry again. I am very proud to here doing the Freedom Rides.

Nazda Alam
I think it was wonderful about the discussion we had about the pledge of Allegiance. People really expressed their opinions, and Elmer really helped us stay on track when it seemed the discussion might go out of control. I also wanted to comment on having the reporter from the Guardian with us today, from another country. It's really interesting that having a reporter from overseas who is also an immigrant in his country so he has a strong connection to do reporting on the Freedom Rides. He sat and talked with everybody, and that was great.

Everywhere along the road I am really impressed with the reception everyone has given us. This is only the second day but I am already feeling the whole bus as a family. That is wonderful.

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