Immigration Reform 2013 News: 'One Million Voices' Group Calls for California Latinos to Participate in September Rally

Various organizations formed by Latin American countries in California have come together to help the "Millions of Voices for Immigration Reform " coalition take action to help pass an immigration reform bill in the United States. According to the La Opinion, there is a rally planned for September 22.

The coalition of Hispanic community leaders in the area have requested that immigration reform be approved this year. During the meeting held on August 17, Juan José Gutiérrez, president of immigrants rights group Vamos Unidos USA, said in his speech, "Today we are welcoming a community that has always been combative, has been present in all the struggles for immigration reform during all these years since the last immigration reform [bill]."

The Central American contingent of the Millions of Voices for Immigration Reform coalition will represent the Hispanic populace from Central America represented in California. 

Adi Lara, a board member for the coalition, explained that one of the main reasons for the creation of its Central American sector was the presence of more than 3.5 million Central Americans in the United States. Lara said there are many immigrants from Latin countries; therefore, he considered it important that the main leaders and representatives of these communities get involved.

Most of these organizations are formed by Central American countries whose members reside in Los Angeles and southern California.

One of the countries that has little presence in the U.S. but has joined the movement in support of immigration reform is Panama, whose presence stands out more in California. The "Viva Panama" group president, Victor Grimaldo, said Panama's small community in the United States consists of almost 165,000 people--17,000 who are living in California, with about 7,000 of them located in Los Angeles, Long Beach and part of Santa Ana.

Grimaldo explained that these amounts are not as large as other groups such as Mexicans or other Latin American segments. However, he suggested that those figures could be seen as representative numbers for Panamanians. Hispanic community leaders and representatives involved in the rally called for immigrants to participate in September.