By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-506792.mp3
Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA 90.1 reporter:
Amid shouts of U-S-A, and Si se Puede! -Yes, We Can! - as well as other chants, at least 30 thousand Hispanics and others jammed the corner of Ross and North Pearl, in front of the Cathedral de Guadalupe in Dallas yesterday morning. Thousands and thousands more kept streaming to the site from all compass points. And the march, organized by the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, was till 2 hours from starting.
CHURCH BELLS
At noon, church bells booming, adults of all ages, students and toddlers in carriages, started moving along Ross, on the way to Dallas City Hall. Nearly everyone wore white shirts and carried American flags - symbolic of peace and patriotism - as requested by LULAC. A dozen or more carried a huge U.S. flag, so it could easily be seen by helicopters. 2nd generation Mexican-American Margie Gutierrez, a bilingual teacher, grandmother, and recent college graduate, walked nearby.
Margie Gutierrez: Substitute teacher: These people come here for a better way of life, to feed their children,'cause they're not going to hurt anyone.
Zeeble: A block ahead, in this sea of people, Texas A&M political science student Val Reyna walked with pride, he said, for his home state of Texas, America, and Mexico
Val Reyna, A&M Political Science student: Our family's been here 5 generations. My great-great grandfather came here on horseback before there was a border. We've been here, we don't do nothing wrong, we contribute to the economy and to me I think it's all political.
Zeeble: Politics and Latino pride inspired speakers on stage outside Dallas City Hall. Former State Representative Domingo Garcia.
Domingo Garcia, LULAC: America, we will not turn back. We will be here and stay here until we all have a chance to become Americans. Today we march, tomorrow we vote!
Zeeble: Catholic Bishop Charles Grahmann said he welcomed all immigrants,
Bishop Grahmann: The immigrants made this country what it is. And we need more immigrants
Zeeble: LULAC's national president Hector Flores addressed the crowd first in Spanish, then in English. He bristled at the idea that Congress might re-label illegal immigrants, and those who help them, as felons. Then he drew a reference to nine-eleven
Hector Flores, president LULAC: There were 19 people that attacked out country. None of them had the name of Rodriquez, Martinez, Flores, Gonazlez. But most certainly many of the dead that are coming back from Iraq do have the names of Gonzalez, Martinez, Flores
Zeeble: Around 850 police, sheriffs and other officials helped control the march which lasted about 3 and a half hours. Counter protesters did show up, but, with police help, they left quickly, before anything got out of hand. Dallas police say there was only one arrest, for public intoxication. Later today, hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of cities around the country are expected to conduct similar marches. For KERA 90.1 I'm Bill Zeeble
Bill Zeeble's email is bzeeble@kera.org
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