A coalition of 30 groups is marching in downtown San Diego today Thursday in support of rights for undocumented workers. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
Marchers are demanding the government give undocumented immigrants legal status.
They're also calling for an end to raids that round up and deport illegal immigrants.
Two years ago, about 50,000 people marched through downtown San Diego.
They were hopeful Congress would pass sweeping immigration reform and legalize millions of migrants. Congress did not.
Many states have since passed bills that crack down on immigrants. And the federal government plans to fence off hundreds of miles of the border by the end of the year.
David Schmidt helped organize the march. He says the fight for immigrants’ rights is a long term one.
Schmidt: I would compare it to the Civil Rights Movement. You had a few massive demonstrations. And then you had a backlash. You had a crackdown on those demonstrators. The Ku Klux Klan was on the rise. And the movement regrouped and then came back with a greater level of organization.
Events are planned in 200 cities nationwide.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
