LAREDO, TX.-Local activists staged a peaceful march to demand comprehensive immigration reform to remove the darkness for millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States."We want our voice heard, you really take into account the rights of many people who pay taxes but can not live in peace because they have no papers," said Manuel Bocanegra, organizer of the march.
The event drew people who called for greater respect for labor rights, especially collective agreements that protect workers. Mayor Raul Salinas, Councilman Johnny Rendon and County Judge Danny Valdez, signed a joint proclamation to declare March as the month dedicated to recognizing Cesar Chavez.
The event was to honor the late agricultural leader and civil rights activist of Mexican Americans, who died 18 years ago. Bocanegra, leader of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), said that this event has already taken place in Laredo for eight years, seeking support from the community.
The march of this year focused on defending the importance of collective bargaining agreements and require congressional immigration reform to legalize 11 million illegal immigrants.
The peaceful demonstration began at St. Peter’s Plaza to culminate with a ceremony at the San Agustín Plaza. "We follow the teachings of Cesar Chavez and we insist on our demands until they are heard," he said.
Chavez started a social movement in the sixties and continued for many years fighting for the rights of Mexican immigrants, by their peaceful protests. "We never stop to defend civil and human rights," said Manuel Bocanegra.
Blas Castañeda, who won this year’s Cesar Chavez Award, said that this event is symbolic because it reminds Americans that there was a Latino leader who devoted his life to fight for social injustices, to achieve better living conditions for poor . It was attended by members of State Teachers Association, the labor unions and employers like Lupita and Ruben Canales, who support the rights of employees.