Thousands Participate in Protests Throughout State

The 20 California marches were part of a "National Day of Action" organized to demand reforms that would legalize about 11 million undocumented immigrants.

One of the largest rallies in California was in Fresno, where about 10,000 people turned out in what a police spokesman called "by far the largest event we have ever had in the city."

The protest, police spokesman Jeff Cardinale said, was extremely well-organized. Participants even cleaned up their litter at the end of the march, he said.

In Los Angeles, a late afternoon march in downtown Los Angeles attracted more than 2,500 people. And as several thousand protesters marched outside the state Capitol, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejected what he called "false choices" by both sides in the roiling debate.

The governor also chastised Congress for leaving on its annual spring recess without completing its work on immigration.

"I hope when they come back from their little break, that they act very quickly," the governor said. "This is, like, extremely important that the United States secures its borders and also has a guest-workers program."

In Los Angeles, a jovial crowd of immigrants, labor leaders and advocates gathered at La Placita Church for a candlelight vigil and procession.

Filling the Olvera Street plaza, protesters chanted, "Si Se Puede!" ("Yes We Can") and held signs that said "Liberty and Justice for All."

"They want to criminalize us," said Juana Sosa, 23, an undocumented immigrant from Michoacan, Mexico. "We need to fight for our rights."

Sosa, who works at a market cutting vegetables, said she and others deserved to become legal residents because they are doing jobs that Americans won't do.

The procession drew a much smaller crowd than the March 25 rally in Los Angeles, when about 500,000 protesters took to the streets. Monday's event seemed more like a celebration, with couples dancing, children shaking noisemakers and families snacking on churros.

Politicians and religious leaders called on Congress to enact legislation that would acknowledge the economic and social contributions of immigrants.