A peaceful protest marched its way through downtown Grand Rapids for a Day Without Immigrants on May Day.
Grand Rapids police earlier asked drivers to avoid South Division Avenue between Burton Street and the downtown area as people moved through the area. The Rapid's Silver Line bus service also was affected.
Thousands of people gathered Monday, May 1, at Garfield Park to march for inclusivity and protection under the law.
"We are only hoping to be protected," said Lorena Cruz, a DACA student who attends Cornerstone University.
The movement is one of the largest immigrant led strikes in a decade. Many stayed home from work, took their children out of school and closed their businesses to show the U.S. how intertwined immigrants already are in society.
There was a similar march in February. Because so many children stayed home that day, Grand Rapids Public Schools had a 70 percent attendance rate.
That number ranked in at about 76 percent -- 75 percent is the cut-off rate for the district to receive state funding.
"We’re the foundation," said Gema Lowe, a member of Cosecha Grand Rapids. "Because we are the ones picking the produce, we are the ones working in restaurants.
"We just are already part of the fabric."
May Day is recognized in the U.S. as a day to promote workers' rights.
The 3.5-mile long march ended at Calder Plaza mid Monday afternoon.
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