Thousands Attend Immigration March In Dallas
The Mega Marcha, billed as the largest rally for immigration reform thus far into the year, ended at City Hall Plaza, where a diverse lineup of speakers from activists to elected officials addressed an engaged crowd, many holding flags or signs demanding immigration relief.
Today thousands marched through Dallas demanding comprehensive and bipartisan immigration reform. The Mega Marcha, billed as the largest rally for immigration thus far into the year, ended at City Hall Plaza, where a diverse lineup of speakers from activists to elected officials like Congressman Al Green, addressed an engaged crowd, many holding flags or signs demanding real immigration relief.
The Mega Marcha had a bevy of organizers, including LULAC (the League of United Latin American Citizens). Their former president Domingo Garcia kicked off the speakers on stage (after a mariachi performance and the national anthem). Garcia, in a tongue and cheek moment, told the crowd that there are many jobs immigrants do that Americans won’t. “Melania Trump, you have my respect.”
Another speaker, Dallas City Councilmember Adam Bazaldua focused his talk on the cruelty of the current administration for pursuing deportation quotas. “Good hard-working people who have only ever wanted a chance at the American dream are being hunted down, not for committing crimes, but for simply existing,” he said.
The crowd was particularly rapturous when Congressman Green, who is from Houston, took to the stage. Green alluded to when he was kicked out of the presidential address a few weeks ago by saying he is never afraid to stand up for what is right. Green implored the crowd to stand together and urged all civil rights organizations to remain united during this era.
One of the final speakers was Marbella Carranza, the mother of Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, an 11-year-old girl who died by suicide after she was bullied at her Gainesville school. Speaking in Spanish and wearing a shirt with her daughter’s picture, Carranza said she had never been to a march, but this was important for her now. She also asked for the crowd to fight for immigration so that her daughter’s death would not be in vain.
