VivirLatino

Mexico and American Dream Face Off in the Streets and on the Field

09:37 H | Topics: Activism - Immigration - Los Angeles - Mexico - Sports

Yesterday, with the news that the U.S. Senate will debate immigration reform (yet again)this week, thousands of people in the Los Angeles area took to the streets to demand comprehensive immigration reform.

Chanting "Si, se puede" which in English means "It can be done" - the crowd began the march at Hollywood Boulevard and Ivar Avenue. It came to an end at a stage set up at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive.

Meanwhile all eyes were on the Los Angeles Police Department following their less than stellar community relations tactics at an earlier pro-immigration rally.

Before the march began, Los Angeles police handed out yellow fliers to passers-by that explained the department's commitment to participants' free speech and its goal for a safe atmosphere during demonstrations. Community relations officers wore jackets that identified who they were to the crowd. Police set up media sections around the demonstration, in case mayhem erupted.

Some say that the turn out at the march, estimated to just over 1,000 people by the police (note that police estimates are always lower than what really is and activist estimates are always higher), was because many chose to stay home to watch the CONCACAF Copa Oro final between the United States and Mexico (if that's the case that's really sad). The U.S. national team beat Mexico 2-1

Via / LA Daily News

Image Via / USA Today

Related

• 9-11 ICE Arrests in San Francisco Highlight Disregard for Nuestros Niños y Familias (Monday, Sep 15 2008)
• ICE Reaches a New Low : Picking Up Parents Picking Up Their Children (Thursday, Sep 11 2008)