| The price of becoming a leader |
|
 |
|
Ramón Del Castillo
Julissa Soto Molina, a first generation immigrant from México, learned that the price you pay for becoming a leader can be “traumatizing.” In her recent trial, the shrill cackles of the liberty bell drowned out the rancorous cries of foul play, as she triumphed over the trumped up charges hurled at her by Terry Graham, a member of the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform (CAIR). In what began as a civic conversation at last year’s immigration panel at North High School was transformed into a melee.
Julissa joins the many activists whose faith and persistence demonstrates that courts of justice can prevail over courts of law.
Dusti Gurule, a graduate of North High School described an “unwelcoming spirit in the air,” on the night of the panel that culminated into a fracas.
She stated, “Julissa did what others thought about or wanted to do.”
Soto Molina approached one of the provocateurs, a thespian who had begun her histrionic theatrics, by yelling at the panelists. Julissa simply asked this woman to dis
play some respect for the speakers. The provocateur transformed into a pugilist, resulting into what Molina described as 5 seconds that almost ruined her life. Her accuser must have failed her theatre class as she helplessly lay on the floor, pretending to be the victim of violence.
The request made by Julissa also cost her a year of anguish as her accuser flung unwarranted accusations at her.
Some interesting facts emerged during the trial that leads one to believe that the encounter, although not necessarily meant for Soto Molina, was orchestrated. Members of CAIR entered the meeting to disrupt a democratic meeting and to prevent freedom of speech. Ironically, they claim that they are preserving the American way of life.
The panel discussion designed to allow civil conversation about an issue that has divided the community, erupted as the spirits of the Klansmen appeared ready to demonize those who had come to listen and learn.
It seems that the provocateurs from the Coloradans Against Immigration Reform (CAIR) were strategically placed in the audience, given marching orders to disrupt the meeting. It was not happenstance that at least one of the officers hired to keep the peace did not respond to the heightened cries for assistance from many of the audience members. It also appears that the police officer that arrested Soto Molina was also a member of CAIR.
With her hands handcuffed behind her back, Soto Molina was arrested, hand-cuffed, and drug out of North High School by a police officer following this cantankerous meeting.
Soto Molina not only suffered for a year as a result of the flagrant charges but also felt shunned by leaders in the Chicano community. She managed to hold back her tears as she asked me why many the leaders closed ranks on her.
Unaware of the shibboleths of the political structure in the Chicano community, Molina expected the leadership to rally and support her cause. When this did not occur, she was left with a lot of unanswered questions. She believes that her struggle was not just about her own needs but about the greater good that activists aspire to.
Although, Julissa can now walk with her head held high, it comes after her self-esteem plummeted to an over all-low. Phone calls with long threatening messages about being a dirty Mexican on welfare and an assortment of other hate messages have left permanent archetypes in her mind.
Those voices will haunt forever her even though jurors recently vindicated her in a Denver court.
The stories are not new. I can remember the stories that were told to me 40 years ago by the sons and daughters of proud Mexican immigrants who instilled in me the courage to stand up for what is right.
With her reputation soiled by this unfortunate event, Soto Molina has since recovered. She learned some tough lessons. The grueling experience guided her to unknown internal fortitude, one of her saving graces. Although abandoned by “her cohort of leaders,” she learned that sometimes leaders are left alone to fend for themselves.
Unbeknownst to her accusers, they helped her find that internal strength that we all possess when we are confronted with survival.
¡Que Viva Los Inmigrantes!
Ramón Del Castillo, Ph. D. is an Independent Journalist.
|
←
Back
|
|
|
|
view more photos
view more videos
El Semanario New Mexico 
El Semanario