Hispanics protest federal immigration raids

RENO -- More than 1,000 people rallied in downtown Reno on Wednesday in protest of a series of federal immigration raids at nearly a dozen area McDonald's restaurants.

Crowds of Hispanics marched from an area park and gathered in front of the U.S. courthouse building waving American flags.

In neighboring Sparks, about 150 Sparks High School students stood silent as a show of support for the families affected by the raids while John Lennon's "Imagine" played in the background.

They held a banner that read "Don't forget the children; they're voiceless."

"This is a demonstration -- not a riot, not a protest," said Alejandra Casillas, a Sparks High School senior who helped organize the event.

"We're encouraging people to stay in school because education is the key to everything. We're here for a purpose," she told the Reno Gazette-Journal.

The raids netted 54 workers suspected of being in this country illegally.

Eight have been deported to Mexico because of prior immigration violations. Sixteen remain in detention centers and the rest were released for humanitarian reasons and are awaiting an appearance before an immigration judge next week.

As part of the protest Wednesday, more than two dozen people stood arm in arm at the federal courthouse in Reno. They said they were forming a human chain against the raids. They said Congress must act to address the immigration problems.

"Either send everyone back or do the reform," said Elvira Diaz, who owns Sierra Bakery in Carson City.

A handful of people opposed to the march set up across the street, blocked from the group by Reno police officers. They said they supported the raids.

"They were doing their jobs," said Debbie Kessler of Reno. "I have nothing personal against the immigrants. The law is the law."

They chanted "Go home" to the marchers. The marchers chanted back, "We are home."