Thousands to gather in National Mall for massive immigration rally, march

NBCLatinoBy Sandra Lilley, NBCLatino

There might be a shutdown in Washington, but it is not stopping a massive rally in the nation’s capital to ask Congress to pass immigration reform.  On Tuesday the Camino Americano: March for Dignity and Respect will harness the power of national civic and labor leaders, entertainers, legislators and immigrants rights activists, but also the voices of DREAMers and children of undocumented immigrants.

The rally and march will start at 12pET with a reading of names of those who have died crossing the border.  The rally will also include music from entertainers like Los Tigres del Norte and Lila Downs, speeches from legislators such as Democratic New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez and Florida Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, prayers from religious leaders and speeches from children whose parents have been deported.

Around 3pET, the CEO and President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Janet Murguia will introduce Illinois Democratic congressman Luis Gutierrez and other members of Congress before a march to the Capitol.

Tuesday’s event is a culmination of events around the country as advocacy groups, businesses, religious organizations and individuals organized events in 40 states and over 150 locations – including marches, rallies, prayer vigils, community gatherings and concerts – on Saturday, October 5th, the National Day for Dignity and Respect. 

While the Senate passed a sweeping immigration reform bill in June, immigration reform has stalled in the House.

In early September, labor leaders, immigration reform activists and legislators announced their intention for Tuesday’s rally.

“We have over 218 votes in favor of reform,” said Illinois Democratic congressman Luis Gutierrez when the national mobilization was announced.  ”But what’s important is that we continue demanding from the outside; nothing occurs inside Washington DC without demands from outside Washington DC.”

Speaking about his participation in an immigration march in Illinois on October 5th, Benito Gomez said that due to his status, he had not been able to see his wife and children for almost ten years.

“I deserve an opportunity. I am a working man, who has always paid taxes and contributed to this country just as much as any other American,” he said.

“We all have different stories and walk for different reasons,” Gomez said. “But at the end of the day what we all want is justice.”

This article was first published in NBCLatino.

Sandra Lilley loves being an active part of our “national conversation”, on everything from politics, education and the economy to the latest books and people in the news. Sandra started out in Telemundo-NY as a general assignment reporter and later News Director. She was also a Dayside Managing Editor at MSNBC and a Planning Editor for the NBC Domestic Desk. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Sandra studied history at Brown University, and currently lives in New Jersey with her family. Sandra hopes our site inspires and informs Latinos as they work toward their family’s “American Dream.”

[Photo by vpickering]

Subscribe today!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Must Read