MADISON, WI (SPECTRUM NEWS) – Thousands of Latinxs, immigrants, and supporters crowded the State Capitol steps Wednesday, marching in favor of access to driver's licenses for all.
Representative JoCasta Zamarripa wasn't just watching from her office window, she was on the streets marching for a bill she believes in.
“As the first Latina woman elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature, it's just been an honor to represent this fast-growing constituency in our state,” State Rep. Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) said.
Zamarripa fights for Latinxs to have their say, whether it is for a pathway to citizenship, access to a driver's license or equal tuition for DREAMers hoping for a better future.
“We're a very young community,” Rep. Zamarripa said. “We're in fact younger than the national average here in Wisconsin with about 4 in 10 of us under the age of 30.”
Thousands of ralliers and marchers came out, but not as many as in years past. Madison police estimate the event, which is part of an annual national day of action on May 1, attracted roughly 4,000 to the Capitol.
“The reason it's smaller is because if you look at the Hispanic unemployment rate, the Hispanic business ownership rate, it's been going up in the state of Wisconsin, Mario Herrera, Hispanic Outreach Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, said. “Things have never been better. People would rather put food on the table than participate in something like this.”
Herrera doesn't see a need for the rally.
“Hispanic business ownership has been skyrocketing, including Hispanic homeownership," Herrera said. “Hispanics have never had it better than they have it today.”
This year, the rally was focused on Governor Tony Evers' proposal to make driver's licenses and state ID cards available to those living in the country illegally.
Zamarripa says it will make roads safer.
“This bill is going to increase the number of licensed drivers on our roads,” Rep. Zamarripa said. “It's going to make sure that folks are going to the DMV and taking the test proving they know the rules of the road before they can obtain a driver's license. It's also going to lead to more insured drivers on our roads because the policy indicates the individual has to purchase car insurance.”
Herrera calls the proposal a political stunt.
“That would be a federal issue, so if Governor Evers is trying to tackle the issue of driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, then he is giving hope to a group of people with an area that he has no jurisdiction over, so Evers is utilizing this community as political pawns to be able to push his agenda,” Herrera said.
Evers expects the budget proposal to be blocked by Republicans but has said it will be introduced as a separate bill if that happens.
If a bill does pass, Wisconsin would join 12 other states that provide driver's licenses to immigrants living in the country illegally.
Though both leaders disagree on several issues, both find common ground in the growing Hispanic voice making itself heard.
“Our communities have been flourishing at a pace we can't keep up with,” Herrera said.
“We are really here to breathe life into the state,” Rep. Zamarripa said. “We're a strong labor force and so I think it's important that we lift up this fast-growing demographic. Really, the fastest growing demographic in the state is Latinos.”
Voces de la Frontera organized the rally and helped to bring in people by bus from 17 cities across the state.