DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – More than 3200 people marched through downtown Dallas Sunday afternoon calling for unity, immigration reform and activism.
The 2017 Mega March started at the Cathedral of Guadalupe a little after 2:00 p.m. and ended Dallas City Hall.
One man said there are certain times when you have to march to get your point across.
“This is one of those times. Just like the women did to bring up women’s issue during the Washington march. It’s the same thing here but for immigration reform and to start getting families together again,” he said.
Dallas attorney Domingo Garcia said he was moved to organize the march when he became disheartened by the recent actions of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The ban on travelers from other countries, primarily Muslims. The executive orders increasing enforcement and deportation of immigrants…splitting up families and building a wall instead of bridges between other countries,” he said.
Garcia said he wanted to send a message to politicians and the community that peaceful protests have power.
“In 2006, there was a bill that would have made undocumented immigrants felons and would have given them two to 22 years in the penitentiary. Those marches, the first one being in Dallas on April 9th, triggered a wave of marches across the United States in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York that killed that bill,” he said.
Citizens from across North Texas listened to speeches from local activists, city leaders and Martin Luther King Junior III.
One woman said that it was an event that she didn’t want her daughter to miss. She said she participated to show the next generation the importance of getting involved in social activism.
“I think it’s very important to support our community. I just want to show my daughter what this is about. This is who we’re doing it for…the next generation.” she said.
Dallas police said the event was a peaceful one, with no reported incidents or arrests.
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