Thousands march in NYC against against new immigration laws

NEW YORK -- Thousands of immigrants formed a line stretching more than a mile long Saturday as they marched across the Brooklyn Bridge, waving flags from more than a dozen countries as they demonstrated against possible immigration reform in Congress.

The marchers, most of them hailing from Latin American countries, gathered in downtown Brooklyn for the walk across the East River. The march ended outside the federal office building in lower Manhattan.

George Criollo, who arrived in New York a decade ago from Ecuador, said his family was in the United States illegally. He feared that legislation could lead to his deportation or jailing. In the House, legislation already has passed that would set penalties for anyone who knowingly assists or encourages illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

The marchers were accompanied by brass bands, ceremonial drums and tooting horns. "If you hurt immigrants you are hurting America," read a sign held by one marcher.

Another marcher, who spoke no English, carried a sign reading, "I cleaned up ground zero."