Despite the government shutdown, thousands rallied on the National Mall Tuesday to urge a thus far reluctant Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Organizers estimated around 20,000 attended the rally -
officially called “Camino Americano,” or “American
Road” - demanding a reform bill include a path to citizenship
for the 12 million undocumented immigrants living in the US.
At least eight House Democrats supportive of a reform bill were
among around 200 arrested at the rally for blocking traffic in
front of the US Capitol in an act of civil disobedience.
“I’ve been arrested a few times, and I don’t mind getting
arrested again for something that is right and fair and
just,” civil rights trailblazer Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) said.
In addition to Lewis, among the arrestees were House Democrats
Joe Crowley (NY), Keith Ellison (MN), Al Green (TX), Raul
Grijalva (AZ), Luis Guiterrez (IL), Charlie Rangel (NY) and Jan
Schakowsky (IL).
PHOTO: I was arrested this afternoon protesting in support of comprehensive immigration reform. pic.twitter.com/ALr7VEkI0R
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) October 8, 2013
Other high-profile voices arrested include American Federation of
Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Farmworker Justice President
Bruce Goldstein and Maria Neira, Vice President of New York State
United Teachers and member of the President's Advisory Commission
on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
The House, led by Republicans, has preferred to approach the
issue with piecemeal legislation while the Senate, led by
Democrats, has passed a comprehensive bill that allows undocumented
immigrants to apply for citizenship within 13 years.
The demonstration was allowed to go on despite the government
shutdown given it was considered a First Amendment action,
National Parks Service spokesman Mike Litterst said.
He added the Park Service is allowing veterans to visit memorials
on the Mall following controversy last week when a group of World War II
servicemembers had to move barricades to access the WWII
memorial. Yet non-veterans not practicing free speech are still
not allowed on the Mall.
The rally featured a performance by the California band Los
Tigres del Norte and addresses by civil rights activists, union
leaders and Congress members of both parties, including House
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
"The time is now for our country to live up to the best
traditions of liberty and justice for all," she said,
according to USA Today, amid cheers of “Si, se puede,” an
allusion to President Barack Obama’s campaign slogan “Yes, we
can.”
House Republicans who support the effort gathered together to
address the crowd, as well.
“Let’s be clear: this is not the first rally we’ve been to
over the years,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL).
“We’ve heard a lot of lip service and a lot of promises, both
political parties have had the chance to solve it, neither have,
it’s about time we get it done this year.”
Activists, who have held many immigration rallies in recent years
in Washington, vowed to press on no matter how much Congress
stalls on the issue.
“In today’s America 11 million people who are Americans in all
but paperwork want only what immigrants to our country have
always wanted: the dignity and respect that comes with
recognition and citizenship. We will keep turning up the heat
until our lawmakers see the light,” said Frank Sharry,
executive director of America’s Voice.
Following the speeches, rally goers marched to the Capitol
building where some blocked traffic in a demonstration of civil
disobedience.
The rally pressuring Congress to act follows similar events in
more than 100 cities across the nation over the weekend.