Richmond Unites Against Hate: community rallies for immigrant rights

Dozens of residents, activists, and local leaders gathered in the Richmond Civic Center Plaza on March 15 for a Richmond Unites Against Hate rally supporting immigrant rights. The event, which featured speeches, cultural performances, and resources for the community, underscored the city’s commitment to standing with its immigrant neighbors in the face of increasing federal immigration enforcement and divisive rhetoric.

The rally aimed to celebrate diversity, educate attendees about their constitutional rights, and demonstrate solidarity with immigrant communities.  

The rally featured cultural performances, including traditional Aztec dancing. Poet and activist Jose Cordón delivered a poem about his identity as the son of immigrants, reflecting on the sacrifices made by his family and the resilience of immigrant communities.

“I am the first of my family to be born in the United States,” Cordón recited. “I consider myself to be a product of optimism, desperation, and a lot of faith. In politics, they call kids like me anchor babies. Well, regardless of what they say, all I’m trying to do is build foundations and figure out how I fit in my birthplace, the USA.”

Andrew Melendez of Reimagine Richmond conducted a “Know Your Rights” training session, during which he explained that all immigrants, regardless of their documentation status, have fundamental rights. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to ask for a valid search warrant, and the right to refuse entry to law enforcement without proper authorization.

“Everyone in the United States is protected by the Constitution, and we all have rights,” Melendez said. “There’s many people in our community, especially our undocumented community, who feel scared and believe that they don’t have rights. The reality is they’re here.

Reimagine Richmond developed the  “Know Your Rights” curriculum in collaboration with community partners and has trained almost 1,000 people during the presentations over the last two months.

Chief of Staff for Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Tony Tamayo, said that Richmond’s immigrant communities are being targeted once again, and Richmond is being called to stand up and defend them.

“The rhetoric from Washington may change, but the struggle remains the same,” Tamayo said. “Our immigrant communities are once again being targeted. We are once again being called to stand in their defense.”

Tamayo highlighted recent actions taken by the city, including an ordinance to strengthen Richmond as a sanctuary city and a $1 million allocation to support legal aid and immigrant rights advocacy.

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Tamayo ended with a call to action for individuals with legal status, emphasizing the absence of immigrant neighbors, families, and friends. He reminded the audience that each person present stood not only for themselves but also for their friends, family, and community.

“When we march, we march for the mother who wakes up every morning unsure if she will return home from work. When we vote, we vote, not just for ourselves, but for our cousins, our grandparents, and for all those who cannot. We are here, we are united, and we are not going anywhere,” he said.

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Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia echoed Tamayo’s sentiments, emphasizing immigrants' role in the local economy and culture.

“One in four residents in this county are immigrants,” Gioia said. “In Richmond, one in three are immigrants. Immigrant families are not just an important part of our culture and diversity—they are the backbone of our economy.”

Gioia pointed out that 35 percent of small businesses in the county are immigrant-owned, and nearly 40 percent of construction workers are immigrants. “We rely on the strength of immigrant families,” he said. “That’s why we’ve invested millions in legal services to protect those at risk of deportation.”

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