Pueblo – Hundreds rallied Saturday for “justice” for immigrants, particularly an easier road to legal residency instead of under-the-table economies that lure them to the United States for unfair wages and inequality.
“People come here to work because they are lured by jobs,” said Jayne Mazur, director of Catholic Charities in Pueblo, one of the organizers of the rally. “But (the government) makes it nearly impossible to get a work visa, so people do whatever they have to to care for their families.”
The rally was more like a family reunion than a protest.
American flags and red, white and blue balloons festooned Mineral Palace Park, as English and Spanish speakers proclaimed their love for the country that is now their home.
Tanya Quintana brought her family “10 strong,” including her daughters, nieces and parents. Her great-grandfather emigrated from Spain to Walsenburg in 1919.
“I think it’s important for them to see what we’re struggling for,” she said of the children in her brood. “And that’s justice for all. We’re all Americans. We all came from somewhere.”
Deputy Police Chief Andrew McLachlan estimated the crowd at 400 and said no problems were reported.
State. Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, told the enthusiastic crowd that he not seen such passion since the marches of the 1960s and that political opponents of immigration were misguided.
“Immigration is actually making our country stronger,” he said. “We need to legalize people and allow them to be citizens.”
The march in Pueblo is the latest in a series nationwide prompted by efforts in Washington to reform immigration laws. Congress will resume debate on the issue after a two-week Easter recess.
The push for immigration reform has prompted marches, work stoppages and boycotts. They are expected to continue Monday as activists in 40 U.S. cities – including Colorado Springs, Telluride and Grand Junction – try to rally 3 million people to the cause, including an expected 300,000 in the U.S. capital.
Denver isn’t scheduled for a rally Monday. More than 50,000 rallied in the Mile High City on March 25.
Also on Monday, the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform, an organization that seeks tighter limits, will hold a forum at the Lafayette Public Library from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Staff writer Joey Bunch can be reached at 303-820-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com.
