Protesters press Obama on immigration [UPDATED]

10:53 AM | March 19, 2009

As ticket-holders waited patiently in line to gain entry to the gymnasium at Miguel Contreras Learning Center near downtown L.A. this morning, two groups protested for legalization of undocumented immigrants.

Kevin Prada, 12, attended a protest by the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles and spoke about his life since his father was deported in 2007.

"I am an American citizen, but right now I don't feel like one. I feel like I am an alien from a different world," he said.

Prada's father immigrated from Peru in the 1990s and was denied political asylum. Prada read from a letter he wrote to Obama.

"Please, I write to you, wishing for what you have promised, change," he said.

Vicky Marquez said she has not seen her children, who live in El Salvador, in 13 years.

"I haven't hugged them, I haven't kissed them, it's not right," said Marquez, a member of the Service Employees International Union. "I'm here to tell the president not to forget about us. We're anxiously waiting for immigration reform."

Two groups chanted at two street corners, playing mariachi music and waving signs that read, "Obama, count on us," and "Legalizacion! Ahora!" Nearby residents watched the commotion from their fire escapes, and rush-hour commuters honked in support.

Updated, 11:07 a.m.: A third protest group -- African Americans holding signs that read "Reparations now" and "Black people need to work, too" -- has claimed a street corner near Miguel Contreras Learning Center.

Vendors are selling T-shirts and buttons, and one enterprising young woman is advertising "Presidential concessions" -- water for $1 a bottle.

-- Seema Mehta

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2 ... sit-1.html