BOISE – Thousands, if not millions, of people across the country are weighing in on Arizona's controversial immigration law.
Opponents of the law say it encourages racial profiling while supporters say Arizona is doing what the federal government won't -- stand up to illegal immigration.
Saturday, many Idahoans rallied in opposition of the new law.
About a hundred people showed up on the steps of Boise City Hall to take part in the rally. Participants said what they're looking for is reform.
"We want an immigration reform, but an immigration reform that's done on a federal level,” said Lucia Benegas, who organized the rally. “Not on a state level, so we want to put pressure to have an immigration reform."
With signs in hand, protesters with varying backgrounds stood together to fight what they say is a law that's unconstitutional.
"I feel like it promotes racism,” said Scot McGavin, who attended the rally. “It promotes hatred in our country. And I know people want to have change in the immigration reform, but done at a state level. I think it's causing more of the problem, and it's unconstitutional fundamentally, and un-American."
The signs the protesters carried plead for equality and human rights. There were even several pictures of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
"He fought for the justice of everybody," said Mario Venegas, who carried a sign featuring the civil rights leader. "We're trying to follow his philosophy. He not only cared for his own people, for his African American families, but he cared about the rest of everybody.”
Because of problems with similar rallies in other parts of the country in the past, officers were on hand just in case.
"There is a lot of passion, and there is a lot of feelings, but we try to send a message, and that's all we want to do," said Benegas.
That message is simple.
"We don't want what is happening in Arizona to happen here," said Benegas.
The ACLU also took part in today's rally, vowing to sue the state of Arizona for this law, hoping to change what they've done, and bring reform to immigration.
Those who organized the rally said they recognize that there is a problem with immigration laws.
They said they want to come to the table and talk, but have it be the same across the country, not different for every state.
