PHOENIX--Thousands of demonstrators marched from the state fairgrounds to the capitol building in downtown Phoenix Monday in a show of solidarity and support for immigration reform.
An estimated 3,000 marchers left the fairgrounds around 9 a.m., many carrying signs and waving both Mexican and American flags. Others chanted "Si, se puede," and "Yes, we can."
The protesters made their way in front of the state capitol hours later, joining about 1,000 protesters already assembled at Wesley Bolin Plaza to rally and hear speeches. By gathering and spreading their message, the protesters hope Washington will be forced to act on the immigration issue.
"We don't have the law on our side," said protester Luis Garcia, a plumber from Surprise. "If we support the march, maybe Congress will change something for us."
Garcia said he believes that Hispanic immigrants face unfair stereotypes and are not given enough respect for being hard workers. Undocumented workers, he said, are simply trying to support their families and make better lives for themselves. He said that he hopes through immigration reform, a new national attitude will emerge, but he remains skeptical.
"Some things can't change," Garcia said.
Another demonstrator, Nyza Saenz, a cashier from Phoenix, said that many illegal immigrants are forced into their situations because it is too difficult for many of them to obtain U.S. citizenship.
"The government doesn't make things easier for us to do things any other way," Saenz said. "We are treated like criminals."
Saenz supports citizenship reforms for students and others who are residing in the country illegally. Fellow protester Efren Bettencourt and his family are legal citizens, but marched to support illegal immigrants.
Bettencourt, a Peoria landscape contractor, said he is in favor of permanent work permits for all undocumented workers and believes that large corporations are in agreement with him, but are afraid to say so publicly. He questioned why the government would allow terrorists to have I.D. cards and deny them to Hispanics who are in the country to work.
According to Bettencourt, illegal immigrants will work at jobs that others won't do and are economically too important to ignore.
"We are consumers," he said. "We generate a lot of revenue."
Crystal Torres, 20, agreed with Bettencourt. She said through her experience while working with a local homebuilder, she knows immigrants are "key elements" socially and economically in the U.S. She supports easier and fairer regulations for businesses hiring undocumented workers.
Although the turnout for the event was below expectations by Phoenix police of up to 10,000 marchers, Bettencourt said he believes the rallies will pay off in the end.
"Congress will see," he said, "I think the demonstrations will be enough."
According to police, the protests were peaceful and no arrests were made, a fact that pleased Torres.
"I'm happy with the response from the community," she said. "It's showing that we can be united."
Reach the reporter at: obeytheoctopus@cox.net.
