A group of immigration activists started caravanning across the state Tuesday, advocating against anti-immigration bills moving through the Florida legislature. They kicked off the traveling protest in Miami-- planning stops in Bonita Springs, Tampa and Apopka. Their last stop is Tallahassee.
Advocates are voicing objections to nine anti-immigration bills state legislators proposed this session. The caravan will pick up about 15 people throughout the drive from South Florida to the state capital. Paola Calvo with the Florida Immigrant Coalition said each of these protestors has a personal immigration story.
"So it's very important for them that these bills are not passed," said Calvo. "And also just as citizens of the state of Florida, it's very important for our community to be respected and have the dignity and not be criminalized just for the fact of being in this country."
She said the group is particularly concerned with a measure that would make local governments and law enforcement agencies comply with federal immigration authorities. It passed the full state House and is currently in committee in the Senate. The activists will be in Tallahassee by Friday for the presumed last day of session. They hope to host a funeral for this and other anti-immigration bills.
