Hundreds join Everett march to support immigration reform

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Over 24 hours of straight rain did not stop hundreds of immigration reform advocates from across Western Washington marching in Everett this morning in support of Comprehensive Immigration Reform. The vast majority of the marchers were 2nd Congressional District residents, coming from Everett, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham. Others came from Seattle, Vancouver, and even Mattawa in Eastern Washington, determined to be a part of the first march for comprehensive immigration reform in 2010. The march was organized by OneAmerica; several partner organizations including Community to Community Development, Washington CAN and Casa Latina; numerous unions, including UFCW Local 21, SEIU Local 6 and Teamsters; and grassroots community leaders from across the district.

A crowd of 350 soggy yet determined participants in the "March for Justice" walked through the rain to Rep. Rick Larsen's office where a diverse 10-person delegation met with Larsen's in-district staff. The delegation delivered a gift basket of produce and tulips grown in Washington State with the help of immigrant labor and asked for Rep. Larsen's help in passing comprehensive immigration reform this year. A reform bill was introduced in December by Rep. Luis Gutierrez and has racked up over 100 co-sponsors so far. Rep. Larsen was asked to sign on to the bill and to participate in a meeting or forum with community members.  Meanwhile, the rest of the marchers packed into the Labor Temple for a lively rally featuring community leaders.

Earlier this week, diverse delegations of faith, labor, and community leaders met with in-district staff at Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers's office in Spokane and Rep. Dave Reichert's office in Bellevue, while constituents in Washington's 4th Congressional District visited and called Rep. Doc Hastings' office in Pasco. Though the delegations represented numerous industries, various ethnic groups, and different political parties, they were united around the need for comprehensive immigration reform. This week's events mark the first major push of 2010 for a sensible and workable solution to an outdated immigration system that is broken, unfair, and in urgent need of reform.