Activists protest Arizona law as Napolitano speaks at Pomona College

Source: LA Times

A few hundred immigration activists descended Sunday on Pomona College to protest Arizona's controversial anti-illegal immigration law and the policies of commencement speaker Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Demonstrators said Napolitano has continued to expand immigration programs that they say were precursors to Arizona's law, which requires police officers to check the immigration status of anybody they stop and suspect may be here illegally.

The two-mile march and rally were organized by the May 16 Coalition, a group made up of students, union and immigrant workers, professors, community leaders and local groups based in the Inland Valley region. As demonstrators marched, they were applauded and given the thumbs up by honking drivers.

Just several yards from where the commencement ceremony was taking place, the crowd began chants, including "Obama escucha, estamos en la lucha!" (Obama listen, we're in a struggle). Demonstrators banged on drums and waved signs that read Alto Az (Stop Arizona) and No mas racista (No more racism).

Across the street, about a dozen silent counter protesters held American flags and signs supporting Arizona.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dhs-protest-20100517,0,1038181.story