More than 1,000 people showed up at Roosevelt Park on May 1, 2018 to march from the Park to Grand Rapids City Hall in support of immigration rights.
“Today is International Workers Day, we are marching for the protection, dignity and respect of the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United states,” said march volunteer Jose Jimenez.
Organized by Movimiento Cosecha GR, this year the march was about the community coming together, and to march in support of drivers licenses for all.
“We believe that we contribute to this economy,” Jimenez said. “Our community deserves the right to drive without the fear of being deported and being separated from their families.”
Marching north on Grandville Avenue, organizers followed the route that the Grand Rapids Police Department wanted them to take, until they made an unexpected left turn on a side street near Founders. The marchers then turned right onto Market St where they were able to shut down the on and off ramps to US 131 for several minutes, causing traffic to back up onto the freeway.
Marching in solidarity was Tommy Allen, Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission member. “We have heard many reports from the community, especially the community that is marching here today, that there are real concerns with ICE”.
Marchers then made their way through downtown before ending at Calder Plaza.
“The march was successful,” Organizer Karla Barberi said. “It is not easy to live with fear everyday, We want everybody in our community to live without fear.”
Media Works of John Rothwell 