About 1:30 p.m., an estimated 300 to 400 protestors circled between the House and Senate buildings, hours before speech-making is scheduled to begin at Wesley Bolin Plaza at 4 p.m.
At the fairgrounds
Rep. Ben Miranda, D-16, reported at 12:15 p.m. that everything was peaceful at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. The lawmaker believes that there will be more than 100,000 attending. Department of Public Safety estimates put the crowd numbers at 75,000.
When ~Arizona Capitol Times~ spoke with Mr. Miranda, Arizona’s two Democrat Congressman Raul Grijalva and Ed Pastor had finished speaking. Mr. Miranda noted the number of American flags displayed.
“It’s hard to spot a Mexican flag. It looks great.” He said there were probably 500 American flags visible for every Mexican flag.
The counter-protest
Rep. John Allen, R-11, reported at 12:20 p.m. he was working in the House, waiting until marchers arrive at Capitol to go downstairs to stage a counter protest. He plans to display a sign imploring Governor Napolitano to send National Guard troops to border.
“There are too many cowards here,” he said of his fellow lawmakers who oppose the immigration reform but left the Capitol today instead of protesting the march.
Rep. Jerry Weiers, stated earlier this morning that he planned to return to the Capitol to observe the rally once the marchers reached their destination. He said he didn’t expect there would be any violence, nor the predicted 100,000 people. Most of the protestors likely are citizens and are marching because this is the latest “cause.”