Casa Latina, the hub of Seattle's Latinx community, was crowded this morning. The organization, which is headquartered in the northern tip of the Chinatown-International District, hosted a meeting to provide their community a place to voice their fears and frustrations after the election.
While sipping coffees and quietly eating breakfast brought from home, attendees admitted that they were afraid for their families, especially their young children. One man, who did not wish to have his name used, told the crowd he was afraid of being "disappeared" like the 43 students missing from Iguala, Mexico.
Five Casa Latina workers were willing to sit down to talk about how they've been feeling since Donald Trump began his campaign of hate. Casa Latina communications director Chris Megargee helped translate these interviews, which were edited for length and clarity.
How did you feel when you learned Donald Trump was elected?
When the elections were happening, I watched on TV. Something happened that was very ugly. I was very stressed because I saw he was winning. I got all tensed up. It was the most bitter night of my life. It was terrible.
Itās terrible in the United State that people have so much discrimination against other people. ā¦ How could that be possible when youāre elected? Itās terrible really.
Do you fear for your and your family's safety?
I havenāt experienced anything directly, but I fear for Hispanic children and that theyāll be attacked. On the bus, I donāt talk because I am afraid. There are a lot of crazy people who are probably worked up about Trump. Iām afraid that theyāll do something to me. One never knows. Itās an intense stress that I have.
All of us, weāre not bad people. Weāre not criminals like he says. Weāre good people who came here to work to help our families get ahead. We donāt have criminal records, none of that. I think itās like everything, there are bad people and good people.
They donāt have a heart. They donāt have feelings, all those people who follow Trump. Thereās innocent children who cry for their parents and their parents are working hard. It hurts me a lot.
My grandchildren, Iām afraid [the new government] might do something to take them away. Iām on edge about this, especially for my grandchildren. Heās a monstrosity. Thereās nothing else you can call. Iāve cried starting at six in the morning when I heard [he won]. I had to turn off the television.
When my son told me, I cried and cried. I looked at God and asked why. But one endures. We have to be strong. We have to keep moving forward. Thereās nothing else you can call him. Itās terrible what all of us are going through now.
How have you been feeling since the election?
I feel fear, I feel nervous. Nervous because I arrived here in 2000. I brought my two children here when they were very young. They each have their own kids now, too. What the president is saying is that he wants to deport whoever, that it doesnāt matter if they have kids or not. It causes fear and sadness.
I donāt trust him because he's very rude and offensive. He doesnāt give us confidence. Instead of giving us confidence he gives us fear. I get headaches from it because Iām so afraid [for] my kids. What if he grabs them away?
Have you been harassed since Trump began his campaign?
No, but I see it. As I see it, we will sufferāmy friendships, my children, my grandchildren. I'm afraid my grandchildren will have problems in school [with bullying]. Two are eight and two are 11.
My grandchildren have heard the fear their parents have. It makes really sad that my grandchildren are afraid.
What do you want Donald Trump to understand about Latinx immigrants?
I want to send a message to him. I think heās wrong and heās not doing his job well. Although weāre immigrants, the only charge against us is that we didnāt enter to country legally. We do our taxes and the money that we earn here, we spend here because we live here. Itās not just for them to send us back now that weāre accustomed to living here. Weāre not harming anybody.
If you were harassed, would you feel comfortable reporting the incident?
If it [happens] directly to me, yes. I believe in justice. If I see something out of my control, Iāll still report it to 9-1-1.
Are you concerned about being deported?
Yes. After the election, I'm very afraid of being deported. Iām afraid for my nephews who are in school right now. And theyāre going to participate in one of the rallies today. They might get beat up by other kids, so Iām afraid. Iām afraid of immigration starting the raids again. Obama stopped those raids, but he still deported the most undocumented workers in history.
Every president has their own strategies, but with Trump, thereās more controversy and panic going around. Iām more afraid of violenceāit can turn lethal. Thatās what weāre trying to prevent. ...
[Having worked in the U.S.], I believe Iāve contributed so much that I feel like Iām a citizen. Iāve done so much and I love this nation. Iām transgender woman, too. My message is donāt be afraid. We are together. I want equality. I hope the entire community, not just the gay community, hears this message and comes together and brings this message to Trump on his election day.
Are you afraid of Donald Trump and what he will do in office?
No, I donāt think so. Iām an optimistic and positive person. Most of my family has been calm. My reaction was just trying to look at things from the positive side.
I live here with my brothers and sisters. Theyāre positive people. Theyāre studying and working and theyāre documented. Iām in the process of securing [citizenship]. I thinking every administration is changing and Iām hopeful that the changes will be positive. As a Latino, Iām trying to do the best to prepare myself to have an opportunity in this country.
Why do you come to Casa Latina?
Oh, it's very important. Casa Latina is my second house. I had my GED in my country, but here at Casa Latina Iāve received a lot of classes and workshops and trainings. I think all those trainings have helped me in my life. Now I have more preparation.
Are you afraid of Donald Trump?
Yes and no. I feel some fear, but not in the sense that theyāll deport me. My fear is that he is a person that doesnāt know much about politics. [What happens] when heās at world summits and things? What about North Korea? What if we end up in World War III? Thatās what Iām afraid of.
Do you plan to protest and take part in the marches?
Currently, I want to support them. Iāve protested before in the capitol in California. ā¦ I want to try to participate.
Thereās maybe a small, tiny chance that we could remove Donald Trump from office. Maybe he could feel so much pressure that he might resign? Iāve never seen anything like [him and his campaign] in the United States.
Last week: Chinatown-International District and Beacon Hill.