Snapped! Immigration Reform Rally in Washington, D.C.

On Sunday, March 21, demonstrators filled the Washington Mall to rally for comprehensive immigration reform. Over 200,000 activists and immigrants urged the Obama administration to keep it’s promise: to enact just immigration policies that would benefit both America and migrant families. After an interdenominational prayer session, the crowd chanted slogans such as, “Obama, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” (“Obama, listen, we’re in the fight!”). Speakers roused the rally, from NAACP President Ben Jealous to Illinois Representative Luis Gutierrez (D), author of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (CIR ASAP).  Fox News Reporter Geraldo Rivera deemed the immigration system “broken” and, later, President Obama addressed the crowd with optimism and reassurance via live feed.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Demonstrators wait to exit the Smithsonian Museum metro stop.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

“Christopher Columbus didn’t have a Green Card” stresses the immigrant roots of the United States of America.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

A family from Brooklyn came to Washington with non-profit organization Make the Road New York.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

A young demonstrator from Westchester, NY.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

Anna Loizeaux, FCLC ’10, and Daniel A. show their support for immigration reform. Anna, President of Students for Solidarity, organized a group of Fordham students to attend with Make the Road New York.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Members of Unite Here! labor union.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Members of the United Methodist Women.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Although American flags dominated the landscape, many countries’ flags were represented.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

A woman holds up a sign in Arabic.

  

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

NAACP President Ben Jealous echoes the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

 Demonstrators gather under a large American flag.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

The crowd cheers and chants, both in English and Spanish.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Porta-potties line both ends of the Mall.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Police on horseback were some of the few law enforcers at the peaceful demonstration.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

A protester asks, “Which boat did your family come on?”

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

Gatherers get a bird’s-eye view of the crowd.

Photo by Alex Palomino in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2010.

 

A group of at least 200,000 people filled the Washington Mall.

-Alex Palomino, Photo Editor