Mestizo Coffeehouse hosts photo exhibit of historic 2006 march for immigration reform
Invisible No More
By Benjamin Wood @BjaminWood
An exhibit of photos documenting the 2006 Dignity March in Utah is currently on display at Mestizo Coffeehouse, in commemoration of the 2023 Hispanic/Latinxs Heritage Month. The west-side coffee house—located at 631 W. North Temple—plans to display the exhibit through Oct. 15, with a free presentation by Armando Solórzano, an associate professor of ethnic studies at University of Utah, on Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
The dignity march, which took place in April of 2006, was the largest march in the state's history at the time, with roughly 43,000 participants marching in support of humane and comprehensive immigration reform.
“The march is considered a hallmark in civic participation, and the most vibrant manifestation of democracy in the Beehive State,” Solórzano said in a prepared statement.
The exhibit—titled "Invisible No More"—draws from thousands of photos taken during the march, as well as the speeches made by city officials, religious leaders and community members and the contemporary news coverage of the event. According to Solórzano, the underlying intention of the project is to give voice to the millions of undocumented people in Utah and the nation.
“Conferences and symposiums on immigration focus on unauthorized immigrants, but this population is not invited to the dialogues and their concerns are not represented in the agenda," Solórzano said. "Undocumented workers remain unheard, and their humanity is frequently questioned. Our display rescues their deep desires, their appreciation towards the U.S., their celebration of family values, and their powerful sense of hope and optimism. For them, the March was a celebration of their dignity and humanity. And our exhibit attempts to be loyal to their deepest desires.”
“Invisible No More” has been displayed s at the downtown Salt Lake City Library, the Marriott Library of the University of Utah, Westminster College, Weber State University, the National Conference of Refugees and Immigrants in Washington D.C., and in the states of Jalisco and Oaxaca in Mexico. The project is supported by the Ethnic Studies and Chicana/o Studies departments, The Tanner Humanities Center, the Latin American Study Program and the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Utah.
About The Author
Benjamin Wood
Lifelong Utahn Benjamin Wood has worn the mantle of City Weekly's news editor since 2021. He studied journalism at Utah State University and previously wrote for The Salt Lake Tribune, the Deseret News and Entertainment Weekly
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