Today in Dallas over 20,000 marchers met at Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. The march began at the church and was led by Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas, flanked by state Sen. Royce West and former state Rep. Domingo Garcia.There were so many people. Everyone marched for about a mile starting at the church and going to Dallas City Hall. Most marchers were concerned, and rightfully so, about Arizona's racial profiling law against Latinos. It was good to see so many people of many colors, of many races, of many cultures and ethnicities, joining so peacefully and all in protest against the racial profiling law. All agreed it violated the constitution and violated the civil liberties of all who are racially profiled.
On the podium, former legislator Garcia said the large turnout at rallies across the country "sends a powerful message to Washington that we need immigration reform now."
Garcia, an attorney for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said later that his group would target companies that do business in Arizona. He said he planned to meet with Plano-based Frito-Lay next week in an effort to get the snack company to drop its sponsorship of the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.
The Houston Chronicle reported that about a half dozen counter-protesters stood behind a police barricade at the start of the march, with one man holding a sign that said "Shut Your Mouths and Start Headin' South." Another 100 counter-protesters waited at City Hall, chanting "Viva Arizona" at the marchers and asking them to show their identification. Police held them back from committing any violence against the peaceful marchers.
News reports across the nation indicate Immigration Marchers marched peacefully in cities across the U.S.; most notably, Los Angeles had over 60,000 (some say 250K) peaceful marchers rally with Mayor Villaraigosa leading the march. Their message to President Obama: We Need Comprehensive Immigration Reform NOW!
In Washington: Thousands of Marchers peacefully protested. As Congressman Gutierrez was speaking to a group of May Day protesters in Lafayette Square, he decided to cross the street and join a group in front of the White House. He joined the group at the fence and sat down, waited on police to ask him to move which he refused to do. He was then arrested. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, joined the peaceful group of about 35 that would not move unless either they were arrested or immigration reform was signed. As the Congressman was led away in handcuffs, he wore a tee-shirt that said “Arrest me, not my friends.” Others wore shirts that read “Arrest me, not my family.”
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