Immigration Reform 2013: ‘National Day For Dignity And Respect’ Sees Rallies In Over 150 Cities

In over 150 cities in 40 states, supporters of an overhaul of the nation's immigration system marched over the weekend in an effort to keep hope alive for the passage of a comprehensive reform in 2013. Supporters said they were marching for a reform which would extend a pathway to citizenship for many of the 11.7 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, refigure legal immigration rules to protect families and worker rights, and put a halt to the deportations which often separate families.

RELATED: Immigration Reform Rally 2013: See Pictures Of 'National Day For Dignity And Respect' Rallies All Over US [PHOTOS]

The demonstrations sought to put the issue of reform back in the spotlight even as the government headed into its second week of a shutdown. In comments to the media, many of the ralliers urged House Republicans - who had refused to consider a Senate immigration reform bill and instead have proceeded slowly on a number of single-issue bills - to put an end to demands that the Senate further negotiate on funding for the Affordable Care Act. In Ohio, according to NBC Latino, marchers demonstrated in front of the offices of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to demand that he "end the shutdown and get back to work with immigration."

RELATED: Government Shutdown: Border Prosecutions Return To Normal After Three Days Of Curtailed Service

In New York City, a crowd of about 2,000 people gathered at Cadman Plaza before heading off across the Brooklyn Bridge. Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio showed up to support the cause, according to the New York Daily News. Steven Choi of the New York Immigration Coalition told the crowd that marchers were there "to demand the House take action", adding, "Leadership, stop delaying immigration reform...Eleven million undocumented immigrants [are] here in the country with no way to become legal, but the Republican leadership in Washington is dragging its heels on doing anything about the problem."

RELATED: Immigration Reform 2013: Governor Jerry Brown Signs Trust Act In California

The New York Times reported that at a rally in Birmingham, Alabama which saw several hundred attendees, the president of the NAACP, Benard Sunelton, compared the marchers' cause to other civil rights causes in the state. Evelyn Servin, an immigrant advocate, told the paper, "I know there has been a shutdown, but we want Congress to know that the time is now to act. We don't want any more deportations. The respect we deserve is really needed here in Alabama."

In Washington, D.C., organizers have planned another rally on Tuesday to take place on the National Mall. That day-long rally will include performances by Los Tigres del Norte and Olga Tañón.