Lila Downs And Los Tigres Del Norte Support 'Camino Americano' Immigration Reform Rally

Although we have entered the second week of the government shutdown, immigration reform supporters continued their scheduled rally as planned at the National Mall. "Camino Americano: March For Immigration Reform" is a call to Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform by the end of the year. The protest was organized by local and national Latino groups, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the AFL-CIO. Celebrities like Lila Downs and Los Tigres Del Norte offered their allegiance to the cause and offering a concert to supporters at the event. Olga Tañon was scheduled to perform but was not able to make it. She posted a Facebook status in support of the rally that said, "We are continuing to make history, I am very proud of my Hispanic people that are in search of the immigration reform in Washington."

The meet started around noon and The Washington Post is reporting that at least 100 people have been arrested after protesters sat down in the street in front of the Capital. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota) was one one of the many taking into custody and will be taken to a holding area to be processed. FOX 9 got a hold of Ellison's office and informed that he is expected to pay a $50 fine for the misdemeanor. Other people arrested include immigration lawayers, priests, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D, N.Y.) and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D, Ga.).

U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told the crowd that the House Democrats are behind an immigration bill she introduced last week. She said the reform could cut federal deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars in the next twenty years. She added, “The blood of immigrants flows through all our veins, making America more American."

Opponents of the reform are not too happy with Park Service allowing the rally to take place, as it was supposedly closed due to the shutdown. Roy Beck, head of Numbers USA, an anti-immigration organization said, "The Democratic Administration looks immensely foolish and ham-handed in this one." However, the activists are able to rally according to the First Amendment rights. "Under the same First Amendment rights that are allowing Honor Flight veterans and their families to visit the veterans memorials on the National Mall, other groups will be granted access to the park for First amendement activities," spokesman Michael Litterst told CNN.