TULSA, Okla. — Protests are happening across the U.S. when it comes to immigration rights and back on the home front in Tulsa many members of the Hispanic community gathered on Riverside Drive to let their voices be heard in a community protest.
Over 400 people gathered on Riverside Drive on Sunday afternoon to protest for immigration rights.
“I am a proud Mexican American and I am here to be the voice that a lot of people don’t have,” said Leslie Aguirre. “I believe we are all equal and I believe children deserve to go to school regardless of their status.”
Aguirre said they gathered to show support for their culture and bring awareness to the situation when it comes to immigration.
“I want them to see this so they know we are here with good intentions. We love America, and just to make it even better, we want to build this country up just like everyone else,” said Beatriz Avelar.
Avelar joined those on the bridge overlooking the highway to wave signs and those who drove by honked to show their support.
The protesters started at a bridge in the Gathering place but moved to Riverside Drive so more drivers could see them and continue to let their voices be heard.
The protest caused Tulsa Police to warn residents about the gathering causing traffic issues on Riverside Drive.
Nancy Ortiz said it is so important in times like this.
“To just try to understand [and] have compassion because I feel like the world we are in right now, the times we are living in, we need to be more compassionate towards one another,” Ortiz said.
Bryan Cruz walked through the protest wearing his flag on his back and letting his voice be heard because he said this was his way to show he stood with his family, his people, and his culture.
“This is a part of my culture, seeing all these families separated just hurts. It hurts to know that we can’t really do anything about it. Like as a big thing, but this is the best we can do at least here in Tulsa,” Cruz said.
The protesters said doing things like this is their way of standing up for their culture, their country, and their families.
Tulsa Police say traffic returned to normal on Riverside around 10 p.m. Sunday.