Immigrant Rights Protest at Dolores Park

“We need to have an equal share of power,” she said. “The bill creates second-class citizens; I believe in total amnesty.” Amnesty was a popular term used yesterday, and was written in bold letters on many hand-held signs. The supporters want immigrants who already reside in the U.S. to stay, without prosecution. “I support amnesty and everyone should be legal here,” said Violeta Peña, who migrated to the United States from Venezuela. “We’re here to work for a better life.”

One speaker said that the U.S. is a co-creator of many problems abroad that make people leave their homes and families in hope of an enhanced life.

“Its just so much safer here, and the police are much better,” said Peña, who eluded that police are extremely corrupt in some parts of the world.

And, the overwhelming tone of the rally was to prohibit the government from turning immigrants into criminals. In the first submitted draft HR 4437 would make the mere presence of an illegal immigrant a felony.

“Stop Attacks on Immigrants!” read one man’s sign.

“I absolutely believe in a world without borders,” said Ray Gottfredson who was touched by the issue when thinking back to when his family migrated here. “This is a human issue, not a border issue.”

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