Hundreds march through Portland in solidarity with immigrants

PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Catholic worshippers gathered at Fernhill Park in northeast Portland on Saturday afternoon.

"Who's here from Holy Cross?" asked one organizer.

Organizers estimate roughly five hundred people from different congregations and organizations marched for the immigrant community.

"Immigrants are hardworking. We are paying taxes and we're part of the richness of what makes Oregon just a fantastic place to live," said Frank So, executive director from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

So is a child of immigrants. He said it's disheartening to see what's happening within the community.

"We shouldn't underestimate the power of people pushing back. Cause it will work and it has worked in the past," So said.

Singing and holding signs with Bible quotes, the group marched in the streets with traffic being stopped at times.

Organizers say the government's crackdown on immigrant families has been disturbing to see.

"We're all traumatized on a human level. If you have a heart, you're gonna be traumatized by what we're seeing. The images are heartbreaking, but on a human level, I think it's all of us standing together and taking action," said St. Andrew Catholic Church parishioner Elizabeth Perry-Gonzales.

The group, which included people of all ages, marched more than two miles.

"People here along the streets, show solidarity that we really are a city that welcomes people and that's what we want to show to the world," said Perry-Gonzales.

The march ended with a service at St. Andrew Catholic Church, which was also the end point for the event.