UPDATE:

The Trail of Dreams students got out of the line up, but other leaders have just been arrested and taken away. While the police were respectful, there was a ripple of booing from the crowd, as the leaders holding signs saying: “Obama stop deporting our families” were taken away by police.  Below you can see Representative Luis Gutierrez being lead away by park police.

UPDATE:

40 leaders, including the four Trail of Dreams Walkers, Deepak Bhargava of the Center for Community Change, Representative Luis Gutierrez, Maria Rodriguez of the Florida Immigrant Coalition and more, are in front of the White House awaiting arrest for civil disobedience right now.

Across the street, people are chanting “Obama escucha, estamos en la lucha” (for you non spanish-speakers: Obama, listen, we are in the fight).

Dear Mr. President and members of Congress: When we said legislation or escalation, we meant it. Seriously.

UPDATE:

Gustavo Torres from CASA de Maryland has taken the stage. Our friends at America’s Voice will be live-tweeting his speech along with many others (including Representative Luis Gutierrez). Follow the action here (doesn’t require a twitter account).

This may be my favorite sign of the day so far…

UPDATE: From what I’m reading about the Washington, DC march it sounds like just as much of a party as the March For America was!

America’s Voice just tweeted this:

Upbeat music. ‘Somos Arizona’ -We are Arizona. The youth are out in force, lots of DREAM Act and “Do I look illegal gear”.

Then another amiga sent this pic titled: “Dancing for immigration reform”

As always, when our communities come together and stand for justice, it’s a beautiful thing. Reminds me of the dancing at the launch of our campaign last June. But that’s another story for another time.

UPDATE:  The Trail of Dreams has just arrived at Lafayette Square in front of the White House. It’s been 1,500 miles and four months, but they are finally taking their message straight to the source. Inspiring doesn’t begin to fully describe what these four have done.

Gaby, Carlos, Felipe and Carlos address the crowd. This is power, you guys.

You can see Gustavo Torres, of CASA de Maryland of to the side. He is wearing a shirt that says “We are ALL Arizona”.

The May 1st march in Washington, DC is off to a big start. After the Trail of Dreams and their New York contingent met at Gallaudet University, marchers are off to 15th and Constitution before heading onto the White House.

Some youth are carrying “blankets of DREAMs” with them as they go. There are some super creative chants going on, including:

Black! White! Yellow! Brown! Its immigrants that make this town!

Education, not deportation!

Up with the dreamer nation-down with the deportation!

I love it! Does anybody think I’m crazy for chanting along with them from behind my keyboard?

I’m also hearing that buses continue to arrive to join the march on Lafayette Square park. Lot’s of gente, chants, joy and energy here in the Nation’s Capitol.

I’ll be updating this post as the day unfolds.

(images via @AngieBEvans and @TheGuilleh)

Categories: Civil Disobedience, May 1, Washington DC