Today, more than half a million people have stood up to protest Arizona’s new racial profiling law and to call for comprehensive immigration reform.

In Washington, DC over 4,000 people gathered for a march to the White House. The Trail of Dreams arrived this morning, ending their historic 1,500 mile-long trek for justice and they were greeted by friends, family, allies and leaders standing in solidarity with their fight.

Later this afternoon, national leaders of the immigration reform movement, including Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Ali Noorani, Chair of Reform Immigration for America, and Deepak Bhargava, Executive Director of the Center for Community Change, Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA de Maryland, and others were arrested at the White House.

The leaders wore shirts that said “Arrest me, not my friends” and were lead away peacefully by park police after refusing to leave the White House gate with signs in protest of the administration’s shameful inaction and in solidarity with the immigrant community.

From the Hill:

[Representative] Gutierrez, who chanted “Si se puede” (“Yes, it is possible”) along with other demonstrators, linked arms with other protesters and took a seat along the White House fence. He was warned to move by police, and when he did not comply he was arrested with a few dozen other protesters.

In Los Angeles, CA 250,000 people crowded the streets of downtown, many had signs protesting Arizona’s anti-immigrant law and all demanded action on immigration reform this year.

Mayor Anthony Villairagosa and Cardinal Roger Mahony both addressed the crowd, calling the United States a nation of immigrants and denouncing the Arizona law.

Angelica Salas, Executive Director at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles also spoke, saying:

“We hear that the Congress and the President do not have an appetite for immigration reform. Well, let me remind them that there is one clear message from us today. We DO have that appetite, we are hungry and we WILL fight for immigration reform until they do what’s right, what’s fair and what’s American.”

In New York, 20,000 people showed out, representing a diverse crowd ranging from labor advocates, peace groups, faith groups, LGBT groups and many others. “Truly a sea of justice” – in one marchers words.

Check out this video of the Korean Drums at the New York march:

In Milwaukee, WI over 65,000 people hit the streets. The rally was on the heels of this morning’s announcement that the city will be introducing a Resolution supporting the Arizona boycott and swift passage of comprehensive immigration reform.

In Chicago, IL the march was so big that organizers had to start early as Union Park was over capacity and marchers were still arriving.

It’s reported that over 110,000 people marched to Daley Plaza where a diverse lineup of speakers, including families facing deportation, faith leaders, African-American leaders and the labor community, took the stage to advocate for swift action on immigration reform (and civil disobedience if inaction continues).

From the New York Times coverage of today’s events:

“This is a turning point for the immigrant community because we are really putting ourselves even physically on the line at this point to show the rest of the country the need for immigration reform,” Ms. Jimenez said. “We will continue to escalate as long as we don’t see any real movement on behalf of our government.”

Be sure to check out the other events from across the country: Denver, CO; Ann Arbor, MI; San Francisco, CA and more.

We are at half a million and counting for May 1st marches to say “No to Arizona, yes to reform” – and the massive vigil planned for tonight in Phoenix, AZ hasn’t even begun. I’ve just heard that there are already 5,000 people gathered 2 hours ahead of the anticipated start time of the event. We’ll be posting updates from Phoenix tonight and tomorrow. So stay tuned.

Categories: Civil Disobedience, May 1