Hundreds march in Fresno for immigration reform, protection of DACA, DAPA

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's May First March included a lot of movement, and a lot of noise. But organizers say there was only one voice, and this was an opportunity to let it be heard.

"Help us," said Leonel Flores, the coordinator for May First Coalition for Immigrant's Rights Fresno. "Help us to stop deportation, help us to stop separation of families, help us to pass immigration reform."

The call for comprehensive immigration reform is nothing new, but May First marchers said the immediate focus now is to protect and expand the president's DACA and DAPA programs, relief for children of immigrants and parents of citizens, but currently being blocked by a federal court order.

"But the deportations continue either way," said 25-year-old Fresno community organizer Grisanti Valencia.

Valencia moved to Fresno from Mexico when she was 4. She says it's time to bring a broader awareness to immigration issues here in the Central Valley.

"If we really talk to the people, the people that are here, the people that are voters, the people that pay their taxes...this is something that they really, really want to pass especially when the Central Valley is feeding the whole nation," Valencia said.

At 6 p.m., hundreds marched the streets of Downtown Fresno, chanting in Spanish and English.

"We're also demanding the Not One More campaign, where (it's) basically saying not one more deportation, not one more family torn apart, and that's why we're here," said May Day marcher Brisa Cruz.

The event also included voter registration, and information on how to obtain driver's licenses or become a citizen.

One group did display a "Fresno stands with Baltimore" sign.