A conversation about the Caravan: voices from San Anto

After a day in New Orleans and Slidell, Louisiana

Cleaning Trash:

“we went to the projects where people are not allowed to return. the water didn't even flood here. one reason the government uses is because of the trash, piles everywhere... its their lives, everything got taken away from them. I don’t know how I’d feel if they do that to me and my family,” marsha womack, 18.

“it been like that for two years and nothing has been done by the city… people are trying to live there and no one wants to help them. We went out there and cleaned up, throwing away people's mail, clothes, mattresses…” jason lerma, 22.

Seeing Truth:

“I thought this only happened in poor countries, I couldn’t believe what I saw.” carlos herrera, immigrant, 32.

"i saw and heard the real story of katrina. it was unbelievable," lucha lopez, 28.

“The nightmare for them hasn’t stopped…there is a lot to do,” emma gutierrez, immigrant, 38.

“after I looked at all that stuff, it made me want to fix houses and do things to help,” daniel garduno, 13.

“we went to see the day laborers. i’ve seen day laborers but never heard their stories.… more than just being indocumented and without families, they suffer from bad pay, abused, injustice. workers barely have anything to eat and still have to make money to give to their family far away. they live with double repression, from their home country and in this country." araceli herrera, immigrant, 47.

Being a mother:

“I came on this tour as a mother. i've learned so much. i can’t even imagine what they went through. communities there one day and gone within minutes. The water came in so fast, too later couldn’t even get out. i saw a spark of hope, the community built a clinic for people trying to return and rebuild. its all citizen run… you don’t really get it until you actually see it. I want to thank you all. In 2 days the things I’ve learned and seen is unforgettable.” Renee Rodriguez, 36.

Resilience and Courage:

“we visited a free health clinic that has seen 150,000 people since it opened. These people have united and not let got of their land, their pride, their roots, their culture. It gives me that strength to continue… and never to ignore what happens to other people” , monica garcia, 31.

“it may be one thing at a time, but we are all going to get everything accomplished… those who plan to get poor people out, out of their houses so the wealthier can get wealthier, they will come down,” eloy contreras, 49.

“i came from syracuse, and aready you’re my family now. i see the all the passion and gives me so much hope for everything in the world. this really makes a difference,” debbie moschak, 21.

Pride:

“I’m very proud of the youth coming on this bus, from the stories they are telling, talking from their heart … I see hope from all the young people on the bus,” viola casares, grandmother, 63.