NEW YORK, April 2—Tens of thousands of immigrants,
mostly Latinos, participated in a massive march in
this city to demand just immigration reforms,
surprising even organizers with the scale of
participation.
Chanting slogans like "Sí, se puede!" (Yes, it
can be done!), the protesters, accompanied by
religious, political and community leaders, marched
on Saturday, April 1 from Brooklyn to Manhattan,
rallying in front of immigration authorities’
offices against the proposed law that would make
them into criminals.
As they crossed over Brooklyn Bridge, the 100-year-old
structure became a giant mosaic of colors with the
flags of different countries carried by marchers,
while motorists expressed their support by honking
their horns.
"We are workers, not criminals," "No human being
is illegal," and "God knows no borders," were some
of the slogans on placards carried by immigrants of
all ages and backgrounds, along with the flags of
their native countries and that of the United States.
The march originally had been called by 50
organizations led by the Organization of Hispanic
Ministers, but other groups continued to join,
making the protest a historic one, comparable to
similar ones in Los Angeles and Chicago in the last
few days.
The Reverend and State Senator Rubén Díaz, who
coordinated the march, told EFE that the
participation exceeded his expectations, and that
the message that went out from New York "was as
solid" as that of Los Angeles and Chicago.
