CHIRLA "Educating, Organizing, Advocating"

More than 1,000 Angelenos packed Our Lady of Angels Church downtown Los Angeles this evening to hear Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) talk about immigration reform. Mr. Gutierrez accompanied by his wife spoke about the moral imperative to approve immigration reform. "No man, not even the President of the United States, can break what God has created," stated Mr. Gutierrez, referring to families torn apart by deportations and raids. Others in attendance included, Rep. Roybal-Allard, Rep. Chu, Maria Elena Durazo, Angelica Salas, Father Estrada, Eddie Sotelo "El Piolin", LAPD Chief Beck, Gloria Saucedo, Sister Gail Young, Father Giovanni, Father John, Rev. Eric Lee, and many others. Below, some photographs taken during the two-hour celebration and rally.

Angelica Salas greets Congressman Luis Gutierrez at Our Lady of Angels Church in Los Angeles.

Crowd shows enthusiasm and spirit.

Eddie Sotelo "El Piolin", Congresswoman Chu, Father Richard Estrada, Congresswoman Royball-Allard, Maria Elena Durazo, Mr. Gutierrez' Wife, and Congressman Luis Gutierrez bow in prayer.

Chief Beck said "The LAPD is your police department. We do not care about your immigration status".

Congressman Gutierrez raises his voice and arms and everyone's spirits.

Angelica Salas encourages people to call Congres and the White House and ask for immigration reform in 2010.

Rev. Eric Lee brings down the house with words from Dr. Martin Luther King

Eddie Sotelo "El Piolin" encouraged all to include "immigration reform" in their daily list of prayers.

The church hall rumbled as everyone chanted "Si Se Puede" and "Yes to Reform Now". At the podium, Angelica Salas conducts the call to action.