Bay Area immigration activists rallied Saturday afternoon in Oakland to defend DACA and urge officials to make California a "sanctuary state," on the day Mexico celebrates its independence.
The rally, organized by By Any Means Necessary, began about 2 p.m. at Fruitvale Plaza, 34th Avenue and International Boulevard in Oakland.
A small but vocal group rallied and marched at the plaza. Cameron Bond came from Walnut Creek with his girlfriend over concerns about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
"I would love to see it saved, see some type of action where the recipients of DACA keep their rights," Bond said.
As demonstrators hit the streets, people like Alejandra Basulto attended a DACA renewal workshop in the South Bay ahead of an anticipated deadline.
"I have been able to continue my education to work and be able to support family to have somewhat of a name and not be scared of being who I am, being from out of the country but living here all my life," she said.
Activists also urged several other actions on immigration and related issues such as halting Trump's travel ban from six mostly-Muslim nations, stopping ICE raids and deportations and removing President Donald Trump from office, according to organizers.
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Earlier Saturday, the California Senate followed suit with the state Assembly and passed a "sanctuary state" bill. It is now headed for Gov. Jerry Brown's desk.
