Long before Tuesday's May Day marches ended in clashes between police and demonstrators in MacArthur park, organizers had already endured a disappointing day.
The overall turnout for the morning and afternoon demonstrations was a fraction of the number in rallies last year that jammed downtown, but that did not dampen the spirits of many of the marchers, who said they would continue to push for immigration reform.
"We're here and we're not leaving," said Blanca Duenas, a garment factory worker in Los Angeles. "We have to show Congress that we're good people."
The Los Angeles Police Department braced for large crowds by deploying hundreds of officers on foot, horseback, bicycles, motorcycles and cars along both march routes; helicopters flew overhead. The cost to the department will probably be about $300,000, the amount spent last year on extra policing, said Sgt. Lisa Turvey.
The first protest began at Olympic Boulevard and Broadway downtown with a few dozen people, who were nearly outnumbered by vendors selling food and T-shirts. Organizers postponed the march for more than an hour while they waited under overcast skies for more demonstrators.
By the time the noisy band of protesters reached City Hall, the crowd had grown to an estimated 25,000. Organizers had expected about 100,000.
Roughly 10,000 went to the second march, which started at 3rd Street and Vermont Avenue and ended with a late afternoon rally at MacArthur Park. The rally, with a fiesta-like atmosphere, featured chanting and speeches from religious and union leaders.
"We have this paradox that Congress has to overcome," Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said after speaking in Spanish to the crowd. "We have a fence along the border and we have two signs. One says 'Keep out.' The other says 'Help wanted.' "
At both events, several counter-protesters gathered in opposition to illegal immigration.
Richard Abrams, 51, an opponent of illegal immigration who observed the gathering of marchers at 3rd Street and Vermont, said all immigrants should follow the legal process if they want to become citizens.
"My issue with illegal immigration is that it's illegal. Enough said."
Many of the businesses along Broadway and near MacArthur Park closed Tuesday. In downtown, one noticeable exception was a music store on Broadway that blared ranchera songs as the crowds drifted past.
The few shop owners that did stay open said business was hurt.
