Thousands rally for immigration reform; Reid vows to make issue a top priority

The story of America begins with migrant workers. That's the message immigration reform activists wanted to send to Congress on Saturday in downtown Las Vegas.

Nearly 3,500 people attended the Rally for America, hosted by Reform Immigration for America, in front of the Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse. The crowd number, estimated by police, was much less than the 10,000 anticipated by event organizers, who disputed the police estimate. They said that, based on Internet RSVPs and a sign-up sheet at a volunteer tent, 8,000 showed up at one point or another during the three-hour plus event.

"We are looking to reform the broken immigration system," said Fernando Romero, outreach director for the group's Southern Nevada chapter. "The best way to do it is to have immigration reform. The problem continues when the issue is kept on the shelf for too long.

"We need to have a system that is just, fair and equitable. The best way to bring it in front of the president and Congress is to have mass rallies like this one."

Las Vegan Antonio Manriquez stood on the courthouse steps holding an American flag.

The 45-year-old, originally from Mexico City, said he is an illegal immigrant who has lived in the United States for 20 years. Manriquez said he attended the rally to push for comprehensive immigration reform, to support others who are in the country illegally and so he will no longer live in fear of being separated from his three children, all born in Las Vegas.

Manriquez said in Spanish most people illegally in the country contribute to society.

He then boasted that all his children are exceptional students, noting his 17-year-old daughter has qualified for the Millennium Scholarship. She is considering attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas or UCLA.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., told the crowd that comprehensive immigration reform, which has been recently overshadowed by health care and economic debates, would become a top priority for Congress. Reid said the legislation would include border security and a guest worker program for seasonal workers.

"For those that are undocumented, we're going to make some rules; of course they'll be understandable," Reid said. "We're going to make sure there will be a penalty or a fine. People will have to work, pay taxes and stay out of trouble and learn English. Not so bad, is it?"

The Senate majority leader also discussed re-examining employer sanctions for hiring illegal immigrants. Reid said he wants to enact the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act.

The proposed legislation allows certain students, who came to the United States illegally as minors, to obtain temporary residency to finish high school and continue on to college or the military. Eventually, they can become naturalized through this process.

"We need to do this this year," Reid said. "We cannot let excuses, like a Supreme Court nomination, get in the way."

Activists are demanding a reform bill in front of Congress by April 30, a day before International Workers' Day, which celebrates immigrant workers around the world.

Rep. Shelley Berkley spoke of her Jewish family, who could not understand a word of English, immigrating to the United States.

"They came here with nothing," said Berkley, who represents the 1st Congressional District, which is 34 percent Hispanic. "They had no money. They had no skills. The only thing that they had is a dream, and that dream was that their children and their children's children would have a better life here in the United States of America."

In addition to the rally in Las Vegas, other cities held immigration rallies on Saturday.

In Seattle, thousands gathered at Occidental Park, where U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray addressed the crowd by video and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn spoke in person.

In Chicago, more than 1,000 activists attended a rally calling for reform.

The majority of those gathered Saturday in Las Vegas were of Hispanic descent. But an Asian contingent also was present.

Some rally participants came from Arizona, California and Colorado.

Some in attendance waved American and Mexican flags. Some wore sombreros. Speakers who took the stage spoke in both English and Spanish.

There was a noticeable police presence. Cruisers were parked at both ends of Clark and Bridger avenues on Las Vegas Boulevard, which was blocked off for the event, and officers patrolled on bike, foot and horseback.

The gathering was relatively peaceful except for four National Socialist Movement activists, some wearing swastika tattoos, who confronted rallygoers as they crossed the street near the courthouse. Police monitored the situation and made no arrests.

Common chants by rally speakers included "Si, se puede," which translates to "Yes, we can." And, "Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha," which translates to "Obama, listen up, we're in the fight."

Hundreds of people representing several local labor unions also were in attendance.

John Wilhelm, union president of UNITE HERE, said America was built by immigrants and their rights should be protected.

"The old Las Vegas was built by immigrants of an earlier time," Wilhelm said. "They came from the Midwest and from the east, from Italy, and Ireland, and Germany. The new Las Vegas was built by people like the ones behind me on this stage. Immigrants.

"Fortunately, most of the major gaming companies understand that they could not open their doors for business every morning if they didn't have solid, hardworking immigrant workers to take care of their guests."

Dave Peter, with Local 1107 of the Service Employees International Union, a major supporter of President Barack Obama, said his organization has made comprehensive immigration reform a priority.

Peter said he is upset that some employers exploit workers from foreign countries. "The workers are here already," he said. "They have been here and they're working for less than Americans are working for."

Ian Thienes of Henderson attended the rally with union members of Laborers Local 872.

"They should give everybody who's been here a chance. That's how this country started," he said.

Thienes said about 400 members from his union were expected to attend the rally.

Bertha Macedo, who was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, but is a U.S. citizen, attended the rally with her 11-year-old daughter Daniela Aguilar, who was born in Las Vegas. Macedo said she supports comprehensive immigration reform so illegal immigrants, no matter where they're from, can make better lives for themselves.

"We hope Mr. Obama does something for everybody, no matter what race they are."

Father Ron Zanoni, a priest at St. Christopher Catholic Church in North Las Vegas, attended Saturday's rally, saying he doesn't want to see families split up. He said it's more than just a faith issue.

"It's a human rights issue," Zanoni said. "The thing is, we're all immigrants, right? Las Vegas is a city of immigrants."

The Associated Press contributed to this story. Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.