Undocubus Arrives In Charlotte, Protesters Taken Into Custody

By Victor Landa, NewsTaco

One block from the entrance to the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte North Carolina, one hour before the Democratic National Convention was to begin last Tuesday, ten undocumented persons laid out a large sloganed tarp in the middle of the intersection, unfurled signs that read “undocumented,” held them over their heads and knelt. They stopped traffic and attracted a small contingent of police on bicycles who  patiently directed car and pedestrian traffic around them.

The ten had traveled by bus, The Undocubus, that for the past six weeks has traversed the country calling attention to their cause: the plight of the undocumented, the DREAMers and the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The DNC was their objective, getting the attention of the media accumulated for the event was their purpose.

And as far as the objective and the purpose are concerned, they succeeded. People, passers by, delegates, locals, all stopped to witness and ask who they were.

Then it rained and the passing witnesses looked for cover. Only the protesters, some media and the cops remained. And when the rain passed the order was given and one by one the ten protesters were taken into custody, smiling, having accomplished their objective.

Their spokesperson, Tania Unzueta, also undocumented, from Chicago, said they were looking to get the attention of the President.