Authorities say more than 75-thousand people marched down Palm Beach Boulevard...easily surpassing organizers expectations of 20-thousand. Mexico native and Bonita Springs resident Juan Romero says the big turnout should send a message about the importance of Hispanics to the local economy.

“I think it’s important for our community here to show how many people are we here and hopefully they understand we are part of this culture. We want to be American citizens. All these people they are not looking for permits to work only. They want to be citizens.”

Organizer Jose Manual Rodriguez says they are taking the day off work to send this message to lawmakers.

“we are trying to explain to the government how important we the Hispanic people are to the economy of this country. that’s the main thing. And we are asking for human reform to all people.


The workers will gather at the Ortez Flea Market and march to Terry Park – in move calculated to draw lots of media attention. The march begins at 3:00. Rodriguez says similar actions are planned in 23 other states.

The group, “People United to Restore our Rivers and Estuaries”, or PURRE, invited the public to this free event to educate and entertain. PURRE Volunteer Cheryl Giattini:

“I think it’s always true that you learn more when you’re having fun doing it, and this is going to be an afternoon where people can have fun doing a lot of different things all of which are educating them about the very serious issues that arise from releasing the lake water down the Caloosahatchee into our estuary.”

Giattini hopes the event raises awareness on the need to change water release schedules, especially as southwest Florida enters the rainy season.
In addition to speakers such as Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah and PURRE Chairman Erick Lindblad, guests were treated to the local band “Blind Pass”, and an array of food concessions. A silent auction featuring items donated from numerous local groups, restaurants and artists also took place.

Meanwhile candidates are lining up to run for Harris's house seat, including Republican State Representative Nancy Detert of Venice. Detert says it's possible - but not probable - that Harris will give up the Senate race and instead run to hold onto current job.

"Katherine Harris never goes backwards - she's been in this position before and she just never goes backwards. I think she will continue forward in her U.S. Senate race or just totally drop out, but I don't think she's going to drop back into this race, in fact I'd pretty much bet the farm on it"

Harris house seat is comprised of a slice Charlotte and all of Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties.

Meanwhile Harris has pledged to o spend ten (m) million dollars of her own money to continue in the senate contest that polls show her badly trailing.

It was called in response to a potential federal crackdown on undocumented workers. It’s aim is to point out the role these workers play in the nation’s economy. Organizer Jose Manuel Rodriguez is with United Latino Immigrants of Florida.

‘Most of the people will be Indian people, Hispanic people and they work in construction, labor in the fields picking oranges, tomatoes and any kind of farm work."

The workers will gather at the Ortiz Flea Market and at 3:00 begin a march to Terry Park. Rodriguez says Hispanics in 23 other states are also taking the day and taking to the streets.

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Florida Republican Senator Mel Martinez successfully brokered a compromise on immigration reform with both Republicans and Democrats. The compromise legislation written by Martinez and Nebraska Republican Chuck Hagel would divide illegal immigrants in to three groups based on length of time living in the U.S.

Jill Morrison reports from Capitol Hill.

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