Hundreds gathered at the Day Worker Center in Mountain View on Tuesday, May 1, to rally for immigration rights.
The event was one of many that took place Tuesday throughout the nation. Tuesday was the one-year anniversary of the 2006 May Day when millions of people throughout the US attended rallies and participated in boycotts in protest of the US immigration legal system and the difficulties in gaining citizenship.
Maria Marroquin, the Day Worker Center executive director, organized and led the Mountain View rally. The march started at the Mountain View Day Worker Center and continued on to City Hall Plaza where participants gathered to hear speeches. Among the speakers were East Palo Alto City Council member Ruben Abrica, County Supervisor Liz Kniss, Monica Smith representing Assemblywoman Sally Lieber, and De Anza College Trustee Laura Casas Frier. All the speeches were at least partly in Spanish, some speakers using translators for help.
According to rally organizers, compared to last year, turnout was much smaller. This was a nation-wide trend that officials attribute to the recent house raids and deportations of undocumented immigrants.
“I think it was a good turnout,” community leader Job Lopez said. “The fear factor accounts for people not out here.”
Abrica said, “we look forward to a better day when all immigrants are welcome in this country.”