The streets were crowded on May 1 as thousands of people marched in protest of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, an anti-illegal immigration law that gives police the right to arrest those who have no legal documentation. The protesters marched a total of 3.3 miles starting from the Mi Pueblo Plaza on Story Road and ending in front of San Jose City Hall.

The march was organized by various local groups, among them: United Voices, Comite Primero de Mayo and the San Jose Peace and Justice Center.

Among the protesters was De Anza’s own Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán, or M.E.Ch.A as they like to be called.

“I felt empowered by being part of a power greater than myself” world history major and M.E.C.Ch.A member Jose Francisco Romero Elicea said. “I feel that as part of an oppressed community we have taken the leadership and show other students and communities how you create change.”

“I like the youth that are here today,” political science major and also a M.E.C.Ch.A member Isabella Barrientos Vargas said. “We want to be as diplomatic and peaceful as possible.”

Leanne Vezanni Katano, whose daughter Lina is an alum of De Anza, provided shuttle transportation for protesters to and from Mi Pueblo Plaza. Organizers for the event began setting up the stage at City Hall at 8am. Participants of the march started arriving at the Mi Pueblo Plaza at around 9am. Various Latino foods were sold in the parking lot along with Mexico flags. Attendees described it as not just a protest but also a celebration of “Cinco de Mayo”, a national day of pride for the Mexican community.

When the marchers reached City Hall they were met by the two organizers of the march, Evelyn Sanchez and Salvador Bustamante and St. Julies priest Father John Pedigo. Pedigo led the crowd in a prayer and offered a moment of silence for the people who have lost their lives trying to cross the border.

After various speakers and musical performances, De Anza student Raul Martinez gave a speech to the crowd of thousands.

“I know many students who are in the same situation I am in, where they cannot start their careers due to their legal status” Martinez said in his speech, “I remember three occasions where I applied for a job and got called back only to be turned down for not having legal documentation. It is a shame to have such great intelligence within us and not be able to demonstrate what we are capable of.”

San Jose was not the only city that had protesters ruling its streets. Reports from various news sources indicated that millions of people protested nationwide.

“I felt that along with the thousands of immigrant and working class people a powerful message was sent to Arizona and Obama. We will not tolerate racism” Romero said “we have to protest against the criminalization of immigrants and fight for the legalization of immigrant families”

In the crowd dozens of children sit on their parent’s shoulders, some waving flags of Mexico and others holding ice cream. One child holds up a cardboard sign reading “Please don’t take me away from my daddy.”