ROGERS, Ark. — On Saturday, a group of approximately 100 protesters gathered in Rogers to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. The rally took place along South Eighth Street and was organized by local activist Nayeli Carranza, who was inspired by recent protests in California.
Carranza, motivated by a desire to support immigrant families in her community, took the initiative to organize the event. “I decided to be the person that started it. Not for me, but for our family members… I want them to know that we’re here to support them,” Carranza said.
The rally followed an initial protest held on Thursday evening with about 15 attendees. Carranza, who had only recently reached out to the community to gauge interest, was pleasantly surprised by the turnout for the second protest. “There’s so many people out here. I really did not expect this,” she admitted.
The event’s success was aided by the support of other community members, including the distribution of fliers for the rally. Daniella Santanderrueda, a key organizer and immigrant from Colombia, also played a vital role in spreading the word. She recalled the moment she first learned about Carranza’s plans. “I said, ‘Girl, I got your back. Let’s go and do this right now,’” Santanderrueda shared.
Santanderrueda, who became a U.S. citizen in 2020, has a deeply personal connection to the issue of immigration. Having moved to the United States at the age of three, she reflected on her own experiences as an immigrant. “Once upon a time I was in that spot, not being able to speak up for myself like others were, and just knowing my immigration roots, it hurts,” she explained. Now, as a U.S. citizen, Santanderrueda feels compelled to use her voice to advocate for those who are still in vulnerable positions.
The protest in Rogers was not without opposition. One counterprotester held a sign reading “aprender a hablar ingles,” meaning “learn to speak English.” However, Carranza responded to the disagreement with understanding. “Everybody’s entitled to their own opinions just like we are,” she said. “Everybody’s welcome to show that. I just know that everybody has a right to be here.”
Despite the counterprotest, the rally remained peaceful, with Carranza and Santanderrueda expressing their hope for future demonstrations to continue fostering dialogue and support for immigrant communities.
Both organizers are committed to raising awareness about immigration issues and plan to host more rallies in the future to keep the conversation going. “We just want to show up for our people and let them know they are not alone,” Santanderrueda said.
The Rogers protest serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding immigration policies and the importance of community activism in advocating for change.