Thread: Immigrant rights march draws only 200 marchers to Santa Ana

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Immigrant rights march draws only 200 participants to Santa Ana
Turnout for path to legalization was much lower than previous years, but peaceful. Earlier anti-illegal immigrant activists rallied in front of Mexican consulate and draped flags in support of stronger immigration laws.
By AMY TAXIN
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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About 200 people marched through the streets of Santa Ana on Thursday in what have become annual nationwide rallies to demand the U.S. government overhaul the immigration system to let undocumented immigrants apply for legal papers and put a halt to workplace raids.

But the march drew smaller-than-expected crowds. Organizers blamed low turnout – which paled in comparison to the 15,000 people who marched in 2006 and nearly 2,000 who marched last year -- on immigrants’ fear of raids and job security because of the economic downturn and community organizations’ focus on turning out the vote in November.

Carrying American and Mexican flags and signs that read with “Don’t hateâ€

[quote]“We need our papers, we want to have an opportunity,â€