Workers' Day march halts downtown traffic

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A march that began at the Capitol and ended at Austin City Hallfeatured hundreds of people holding banners and American flags andwearing T-shirts that said, in both Spanish and English, "No humanbeing is illegal."

The rally through downtown stopped traffic on the First Streetbridge as Hispanics, blacks and whites marched for immigrants'rights in honor of Workers' Day Thursday evening.

The event, sponsored by the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition,welcomed more than 110 different organizations and several hundredpeople for a rally and march.

Sister Guadalupe of Cristo Rey Church in East Austin started therally with a speech, calling that the familial separation of theimmigration process causes a tragedy. She cited Pope Benedict XVI,who, during his recent U.S. visit, told President Bush that heshould treat immigrants humanely and ensure the well-being ofimmigrant families.

Ted Gordon, director of the Division of Diversity and CommunityEngagement, also spoke at the Capitol rally.

"They want bodies that can provide cheap labor without giving thembasic human rights," he said.

Gordon said he thinks many of the students at the University thinkimmigration is a big issue but have a negative perspective of it.He said he believes many students see immigration as a burdenbecause they do not know enough information on the issue.