A couple thousand Hispanic immigrants and their supporters rallied at the Prince William County headquarters Sunday afternoon to protest the county’s controversial illegal immigration resolution.
Holding signs proclaiming “Immigrants help make America strong” and “Rescind the resolution,” families from throughout the suburban county and neighboring jurisdictions exclaimed their opposition to new laws aiming to crack down on illegal immigration.
“This is only the beginning,” organizer John Steinbachsaid as he estimated the turnout at 5,000.
The event, capping a weeklong economic boycott against nonimmigrant-owned businesses, was designed to show the strength and size of the population furious over new laws aiming to crack down on illegal immigrants.
More than 400 volunteers from Mexicanos Sin Fronteras and other groups flanked the event, along with a contingent of 100 officers and support personnel from the Prince William County Police Department, who supervised the march route and looked out on the protest from a nearby rooftop.
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an illegal immigration resolution July 10, citing overcrowded homes, a deteriorating quality of life and the high cost of providing services to illegal immigrants. The measure sought to deny some county services to illegal immigrants and speed the deportation of illegal immigrants who break the law.
Supervisors had predicted that a huge crowd Sunday would boost residents’ resolve to push for the resolution to be enforced.
“I think it sends a message that these are bullies who are trying to intimidate the county,” Board Chairman Corey Stewart said, suggesting that many protesters would come from outside the county.
Kids rapidly waved American flags and women placed them in their hair as they prepared for the two-mile march along Prince William County Parkway.
“I think the law could be terrible for the kids,” said a Manassas resident who gave his name as Gilberto, “If these laws don’t stop, our lives can really be damaged.”
Helping his young nephew sell American flags for $1 apiece, Bonifacio Lopez Jr., 15, of Dumfries, said he fears he may soon be asked to prove his legal status to go to a park and play with friends.
