What I saw today in downtown Los Angeles was the true beauty of our Constitution in action: the right to assemble, the right to freedom of speech.
The march was one of the most festive events I think I have ever been to. Parents brought their children, grandmothers carried toddlers, generations stood shoulder to shoulder with one purpose: stop HR 4437. This was very much a march about protecting one's family. And that's what HR 4437 wants to do: tear families apart.
Groups in opposition to H.R. 4437 state that the legislation would affect over 11 million immigrants and their family members and communities and, as such, represents the harshest anti-immigrant bill in over a century. -- wikipedia.
HR 4437 is a nasty and mean spirited bill sponsored by Rep James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-WI) that does little to address immigration reform.
Thousands Again Protest Immigration Bill
Tens of thousands of immigrant rights advocates from across Southern California marched Saturday in protest of federal legislation that would build more walls along the U.S.-Mexico border and make helping illegal immigrants a crime.
The march followed rallies on Friday that drew throngs of protesters to major cities around the nation.
Thousands of people stream into downtown Los Angeles for what was expected to be one of the city's largest pro-immigrant rallies, Saturday, March 25, 2006. Many of the marchers wore white shirts to symbolize peace and also waved U.S. flags. Some also carried the flags of Mexico and other countries.
On Saturday, demonstrators streamed into downtown Los Angeles for what was expected to be one of the city's largest pro-immigrant rallies. The crowd was estimated at more than 100,000, said police Sgt. Lee Sands.
As someone who was there, the officials have more than just underestimated the numbers. The march was intended to proceed down Broadway beginning at 10 am. The sheer volume of people pushed the march to start much earlier. Within a short time, the overflow took over the parallel side avenues. Hill Street, Spring Street, Main Street swelled to capacity as everyone made their way towards City Hall at Main and First Street. Many would never even make it the last 4 or 5 blocks over to City Hall to hear the speakers.
If I had to estimate the numbers based on past marches I've attended, it's a very safe assumption the crowd was much closer to 500,000 possibly larger.
Everyone marched with one message: NO on HR 4437.
Where were my Anglo brothers and sisters today?
I'm not comfortable pointing this out, but today I marched as the minority.
It was a strange feeling to be one of the few Anglos walking with my fellow Angelinos against a bill that is so clearly an assault on something I believe in my heart of hearts that America stands for: treating each other with respect and human dignity.
To give you an idea of just how unusual the presence of my distinctly Anglo face was, I was asked to have my picture taken, I was interviewed for my "Anglo opinion," I was thanked for supporting my neighbors.
Immigrants are not limited to just being from the Latino community. Boston still has new Irish immigrants. San Francisco has a large Chinese community. Oklahoma City has a large Vietnamese population. Detroit has immigrants from the Middle East.
Let me end with a question:
Where were the progressives from outside of the Latino community today?
Please see a recent related commentary by Man Eegee Gut Check Time on Immigration
Cross posted from the ePluribus Media Community site.