Thousands march for immigration reform in Detroit, other U.S. cities

Published: 2007-05-03

DETROIT (CNS) -- Undocumented immigrants "need better treatment and deserve it," said Manuel Gonzalez, a Mexican-born U.S. citizen, waiting for the start of a May 1 march and rally in support of immigration reform in Detroit. "Let us treat immigrants the same as everybody else in this country," said Gonzalez, a member of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Detroit, who attended the Detroit rally with his 3-year-old son, Angel. Gonzalez was among about 3,000 people -- overwhelmingly Hispanic and mostly young, with many pushing baby strollers -- who took part in the 2.5-mile march. Many of them carried American or Mexican flags, or signs calling for justice or an end to the breaking up of families. The march took place on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, just two days after Michigan's Catholic bishops issued a statement on the need for immigration reform. The Detroit rally was one of dozens of immigration rallies held across the country the same day.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .