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May 1, 2006

Photo: Festive crowd heads to State House

Journal photo / Andrew Dickerman
Romina Chamorro and Alexandra Roca, 3, hold flags they had just purchased for display in the march in support of immigrants' rights this afternoon. Nearly all businesses on Broad Street were closed today, giving the street the appearance of early Sunday morning.

PROVIDENCE -- American and Mexican flags were flying, Latin-style music blared from loudspeakers mounted on a truck and the mood was festive as several hundred people gathered this afternoon for a march to the State House.

The group was readying for the last of three organized events in the city today as demonstrators nationwide called for immigration reforms. The march was due to kick off at 3:30 p.m.

As they waited outside Central High School for the march to start, many participants carried signs saying "inmigrantes unidos" (immigrants united, in Spanish) on one side, and on the other, "human rights," in English.

Most of the participants appeared to be younger -- some of them high school students, including those from neighboring Classical High, and adults carrying children.

Earlier today, about 20 students from Classical walked out of school at 1 p.m. to support immigrant workers and attend the beginning of a Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The Mass was the second of the major local events planned for today.

Then, they walked to City Hall, where they gathered on the steps as their numbers grew to about 25 or more.

Senior class president Chichi Ofokansi said this issue hits close to home for these students, almost all of whom have families who would be affected by changes to the national immigration laws.

-- With reports from projo.com staff writer Steve Peoples and Kate Bramson

Posted by Kate Bramson  at 3:43 PM | Permalink

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