Thousands of people held union banners and waved American flags during a peaceful march and rally through downtown Los Angeles Sunday, in a renewed effort to press the Obama administration for immigration reform and call on local businesses to boost workers' rights.
Holding signs that read "No Arizona. No Wisconsin. We're California," and "Obama, Don't Deport Dreamers," marchers in the annual May Day rally aimed their protests toward Congress and President Barack Obama specifically. They accused them of allowing what many called a patchwork of racist laws against the undocumented to sprout up in states and municipalities.
"(Obama's) not doing anything," said Juan Guerrero, sporting a red, white and blue shirt.
"I voted for him last time, but I'm not voting for him again. Many Latinos won't vote for him again," said Guerrero, adding he was documented but his brother was not.
Accompanied by his 9-year-old son Angel, Guerrero said many Latinos supported Obama for president because of his forceful views on immigration reform. But so far, Obama has disappointed many.
Last year's protests were largely fueled by an Arizona measure that gave police expanded powers to question and detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Twelve months later, many key pieces of the Arizona legislation remain mired in legal limbo, yet other states have tried to enact similar laws.
Many marchers said immigration reform will
eliminate confusion, and ensure that families don't suffer as a result of raids that separate American-born children from undocumented parents."We want change in the nation," said Lester Meza, a 16-year-old student from Esteban Torres High School in East Los Angeles."
"When thousands of people are out here in the streets, it means something's not right with the laws. I want peace for the country."
Others such as Rigoberto Barbosa sported a graduation cap and gown to symbolize how the the lack of reform leaves undocumented college graduates in the lurch. The Dream Act is a bill that would provide conditional permanent residency to allow the undocumented college graduates the right to work.
"There are many of us studying to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, and we want to be a part of this society," Barbosa, 21, said. "We're not criminals."
Dozens of unions and immigrant groups came together under the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles to participate in the march and rally, one of two held during the day.
Organizers estimated the crowds were upwards of 25,000, though fire officials said the number was closer to 3,000. Similar marches and rallies were held across the nation.
A heavy presence of police both on bicycles and on foot could be seen up Broadway between Olympic Avenue and Temple Street. No arrests were reported, said Los Angeles Police spokeswoman Sara Faden.
"For the most part, everyone was cooperative," Faden said.
Police wanted to ensure there was no repeat of the 2007 "May Day Melee," when officers in riot gear clashed with protesters in MacArthur Park, firing rubber bullets and tear gas that injured dozens of marchers and some members of the media. Fifteen officers and two commanders were disciplined, and the city paid nearly $13 million in settlements.
Protesters gathered early at the corner of Olympic Avenue and marched for a mile up Broadway, with the smells of sizzling onions and bacon-wrapped hot dogs sold by vendors wafting in the air. Sounds of drums and rattles worn by Aztec dancers and chants of "What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!" until they reached Temple Street for a rally.
The crowds did not meet any opposition from counterprotesters at the event, where other groups such as the Topanga Alliance for Peace called for an end of American involvement in wars in the Middle East and other groups waved rainbow flags and advocated for gay rights.
Liliana Morales, 43, wore an American flag like a cape. She had crossed into the United States from Mexico when she was 16, and said she knows California more than her own homeland.
But like many, she felt discouraged by the lack of movement in Congress for immigration reform.
"We've marched, we've marched and marched so that we can be documented," she said.
"What would California do without the immigrant? We come here because we want our families to be successful, to do well. We come here because our countries are corrupt. If we can't come here, if we can't live in our countries, where do we go? It's about human rights for all."
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