Quinciñearas take the Texas State Capitol
One of the most brilliant demonstrations I’ve seen, and I’ve seen many, was the recent takeover of the Texas State Capitol by 15 fifteen-year-olds in Quinciñeara dresses to protest SB4, the “show me your papers” law in Texas.
![Quinciñearas take the Texas State Capitol](https://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-002.jpg)
The endless protests and demonstrations following the inauguration of President Trump bring the same images, no matter what the issue. Quinciñearas brought a visual element of Mexican culture to the struggle for immigrant rights.
![Having Fifteen Year-Olds as the Spokespeople for the Community was a stroke of genius, but not without it's challenges.](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-062.jpg)
Drugs of choice differ. Some snort, some shoot, some drink. Everyone's on the hustle.
![Traditional Dancing](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-025.jpg)
First, the girls performed traditional dances.
![Bring Me Your Tired](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-080.jpg)
They took the stance of the Statue of Liberty, and "Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddles masses, yearning to be free" was read
![Liberty](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-047.jpg)
Jennifer Ramirez as the Statue of Liberty.
![Justice!](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-079.jpg)
Justice!
![Si Se Puede!](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-094.jpg)
Si Se Puede!
![Fifteen](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-020.jpg)
Fifteen year-old Julia Pierce speaks to the crowd.
![Now to Lobby](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-103.jpg)
Alexandra Lopez and the girls head for legislative offices to lobby against the bill.
![Navigating the Capitol](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-108.jpg)
Into the Capitol for Direct Contact with their Legislators
![Entering the Offices](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-129.jpg)
Alexandra Lopez enters the office of Representative Senfronia Thompson.
![Alexandra Lopez delivers a flower to the staff of Representative Senfronia Thompson, who has worked to defeat SB4.](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-132.jpg)
Alexandra Lopez delivers a flower to the staff of Representative Senfronia Thompson, who has worked to defeat SB4.
![Activists in Ball Gowns](http://janabirchum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Quinciñeras071817-134.jpg)
Just fifteen year-olds, but newly minted activists.