200 Protesters Wait For President Obama Outside Chamizal National Park

Almost 200 protesters gathered along Paisano Drive, just outside the north entrance to Chamizal National Park, hoping to catch a glimpse of President Barack Obama before his speech Tuesday afternoon.

They held up countless signs and chanted their concerns on more than a dozen topics from immigration reform and gas prices to accusations of police and military corruption.

Many of the protesters said they were upset with the lack of progress on immigration during Obama’s presidency.

“We’re not happy with what he’s done; he’s done nothing, basically. He promised so much, and he’s done nothing,” said protester Jesus Ramirez. “We want him to stop talking about reforming immigration and just do it.”

Some protesters said they felt the president was using his original promises for campaign purposes only, and they were worried he had forgotten about those on the border.

“We want to remind him that his 2008 promise to reform immigration has yet to be fulfilled,” said Cristina Parker, media coordinator for the Border Network For Human Rights. “That issue impacts our community so much, and we don’t want him to forget about us.”

Tension built as police blocked off Paisano Drive, where the protesters were waiting, signs in hand, assuming that the closed roads were for the president’s travel from Fort Bliss.

“He’s coming soon; I can feel it!” said one woman who wanted to remain anonymous.

Unfortunately, the president used the south entrance on the other side of the park, leaving the protesters upset and disappointed.

“I just wanted to see his car passing by and take a pictures, but I didn’t even get that,” said Darlene Rivera. “I’m not voting for him after this.”

After the protesters and those hoping for a glimpse of the president learned he wouldn’t be traveling that way, they quickly dispersed.