Immigration Reform Supporters Pack San Rafael City Plaza for Festive Rally

Immigration reform advocates held gathered at San Rafael City Plaza on Sunday afternoon for an event that was as much a festival as it was an actual demonstration.

Children and teenagers danced to traditional Mexican music and painted their faces.

Some dressed as Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, George Washington and Betsy Ross in an effort to show that immigration is tied to the American spirit.

Former Assemblyman Michael Allen was among the dignitaries participating in the rally.

The Marin Peace and Justice Coalition held the event.

“Everything that we did reiterated our demand that the House of Representatives pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform by the end of the year,” organizer Barb Killey said.

An immigration reform that had bipartisan support earlier this year has lost momentum amid legislative wrangling over the budget, the debt limit and the Obamacare rollout.

Those attending Sunday’s rally want to make sure the issue isn’t completely forgotten.

And they’re urging their supporters to pressure the nine California Republican congressional representatives who currently oppose immigration reform by flooding their offices with letters and writing letters to the editor at publications throughout the state.

“Our event was proof of the spectacular results that can be created by combining our established communities with our new immigrants,” Killey said.