Over 200,000 March FOR America

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-03-21 13:05:00 UTC
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Update: it's just been reported that local Fox News is counting immigration reform supporters in the national mall at half a million!

Over 200,000 people: that's the latest count for the March FOR America immigration reform rallying occurring now at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Over 200,000 people who want a stop to unjust deportations. Over 200,000 people who oppose fragmenting families. Over 200,000 people who want to protect workers from exploitation. Over 200,000 people who condemn inhumane detention. Over 200,000 people who believe that better immigration laws will aid our economy.

Nearly a quarter million people who want President Barack Obama, Democrats, and Republicans alike to stop turning tail and pass comprehensive immigration reform now.

Everywhere I look there are American flags, big and small. I've seen representatives from unions, environmental justice organizers, feminists, and a group in traditional Native American headdresses. Behind me, a drum keeps up a motivational beat. There are groups of teenagers giving up their Sunday to stand up for immigration reform, and entire families with children in strollers. There are youth proudly wearing shirts reading, "Undocumented and Unafraid." Signs declare: "My Faith, My Vote for Immigration"; "We Work for America"; "Libertad, Familia" (Liberty, Family). There are shouts of Si Se Puede -- Yes We Can.

The speakers list includes Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL); Ben Jealous, a Change.org Changemaker and Executive Director of the NAACP; Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights; Greg Cendana of the United States Student Association; and Eliseo Medina, Executive Vice President of SEIU International. Youth and unions; politicians and civil right advocates -- a wide range of persons have turned out to support immigration reform for America.

It's a beautiful day to be at the capital, and it's well past the season to finally pass immigration reform.

Photo credit: RI4A

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.
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