Immigration Activists Take Part In Local Marches, Rallies For 'National Day Of Action'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Immigrant-rights groups are taking part in a series of events Wednesday to call attention to the national immigration reform debate.

Participants gathered from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. at various locations to kick off a "National Day of Action".

Activists are taking part in events throughout the day in an effort to try and influence lawmakers to draft an immigration reform proposal that will not limit the number of green cards to just immediate family members.

"I know how hard it is to go on the street and be scared of the policemen and not be able to go to school," Norma Mairena, an immigration reform supporter, said. "You have to pay out of state tuition and you cannot advance in the country."

A march began at 11:30 a.m. at the Westwood Park and Recreation Center in West Los Angeles and proceeded three blocks down Sepulveda Blvd. to Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office where a post-rally press conference was held.

"Mrs. Feinstein has been working on this specific bill for agricultural workers for many many years and many people will benefit," Jorge-Mario Cabrera of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights said. "We want Mrs. Feinstein to additionally say that she is supportive of families staying together as part of that large citizenship bill, and she hasn't done that unfortunately."

Another rally and march is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Van Nuys Civic Center.

Wednesday's events are part of a nationwide week of action scheduled to include a rally at the White House.