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Defending Dreamers: Supporters Rally In Westchester For Daca

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- More than 30 people showed up outside Sen. Chuck. Schumer's Peekskill office on Tuesday, Sept. 5 to show their support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, otherwise known as DACA.

A young DACA supporter outside Senator Schumer's office in Peekskill.

A young DACA supporter outside Senator Schumer's office in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Vitalah Simon, left, of Pleasantville and Maggie Brown of Ossining, with Shoko (the dog) in Peekskill.

Vitalah Simon, left, of Pleasantville and Maggie Brown of Ossining, with Shoko (the dog) in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
Cortlandt resident Christine Button of CD17Indivisible outside Senator Schumer's office in Peekskill.

Cortlandt resident Christine Button of CD17Indivisible outside Senator Schumer's office in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick
State Assemblyman David Buchwald speaking about DACA to a crowd in Peekskill.

State Assemblyman David Buchwald speaking about DACA to a crowd in Peekskill.

Photo Credit: Jeanne Muchnick

The last-minute effort to rally people together was organized by CD17Indivisible, a grassroots political advocacy group and in particular by Christine Button of Cortlandt. Button said Indivisible supporters, after hearing earlier about President Trump's formal announcement of the end of DACA -- a program that protects from deportation nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children -- felt compelled to have their voices heard.

"When you see something happening in your country that you feel is headed in the wrong direction, you have to do something," said Vitalah Simon of Pleasantville who showed up with a sign saying "Dreamers Stay, Haters Leave."

Added Maggie Brown of Ossining, who came with her dog Shoko (he was wearing an American flag around his neck): "If you're not outraged by what's happening, you're not paying attention."

State Assemblyman David Buchwald was also in attendance and told the crowd the state of New York would sue the federal government regarding the DACA initiative. He said -- in Spanish, English, and French (he said he wouldn't attempt Chinese but that his message should be heard in many languages) -- that Westchester is a welcoming community and New York is welcoming state.

"This country was founded by immigrants and their dreams. This effort to end DACA goes against all we believe.

"We see you," he said, "And we are with you."

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