Las Vegas NowProtests in Las Vegas For Immigrants' Rights

Protests in Las Vegas For Immigrants' Rights

Hundreds of thousands of people participated in immigration demonstrations across the country Monday. In Las Vegas, protestors marched to the federal courthouse downtown.

They're pressing for the legal status of undocumented workers. There were so many people at the federal courthouse that police closed both lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard for the protests.

The rally started at Jaycee Park near Eastern and Sahara. Protestors gathered to walk west on Sahara and then north on Las Vegas Boulevard to the federal courthouse. Students, parents and other adults chanted for the legalization of undocumented workers.

Roy Mendez said, "My parents were illegal. I was a green card baby. I still have relatives that are undocumented."

Mendez brought his 6-year-old daughter to march. He watched his parents fight to become U.S. citizens as a child and wants others now to have the same opportunity.

He continued, "They are not terrorists. They work hard, they work hard in this country to achieve the American dream."

Felicia Ortiz traces her roots to New Mexico before it became a state. She marched with a group of about 3,500 on the belief that this country needs undocumented workers to become legal workers.

Ortiz said, "I feel immigration is important to this country because this country was built on it."

Protestors finished the march at the federal courthouse where the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance in a show of unity and love for this country.

Las Vegas Boulevard was closed for about two hours before the crowd left.

The protest was peaceful.

(12 p.m.) -- Many of the protestors carried signs and also the flag of the United States of America. Organizers asked participants to bring the American flag to send a strong message that this is the country they love and want to stay in.

Protestors are calling for a 5-point plan including immigrant criminalization, no border fencing, worker rights, citizenship now and the immediate amnesty for families.

(9 a.m.) -- People in nearly 100 cities across the nation participated in immigrants rights marches Monday. It's an attempt to pressure Congress to approve legislation that would offer citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants.

In Las Vegas, protest organizers say this march will be the biggest ever in Las Vegas history.

Thousands of valley residents received flyers over the weekend promoting Monday's march. Student organizers from UNLV and other valley schools handed out flyers at Santa Ana church on Sunday. Many of the churchgoers said they planned to take the off from work in order to participate in the nationwide immigrant rights march.

The coordinated marches come after weeks of debate and protest around the country. Many say this is their time to take a stand and tell lawmakers they are here to work and provide a better life for their families.

Nevadans are split when it comes to the immigration debate. That's according to a poll by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The newspaper asked for the opinion of 625 registered voters.

• 35-percent favored tightening border security and deporting illegal immigrants.
• 28-percent supported allowing illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S., but said they should be required to pay fines, back taxes and learn english.
• 22-percent favored creating a guest worker program that will allow them to work and eventually apply for permanent legal residency.

Email reporter Martha Guzman at mguzman@klastv.com