Immigrant rights groups from across the country accompanied residents of Alabama to oppose the decision of the state’s legislature to implement House Bill 56 which requires, among other provisions, verification of one’s immigration status during certain law enforcement encounters.

Hundreds stood outside the state capital building in Montgomery demanding that the governor repeal the law that is being called a direct attack on the immigrant community there.

National and state immigrant rights groups arrived last Wednesday to discuss strategies for national immigration reform and also how to repeal HB56. On Saturday a mobilization of Alabama residents and other supporters from across the country joined them outside of the state capitol to rally and then march to the Governor’s Mansion.

Irakere Picon, executive assistant to the director of the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights said those going from Chicago would be encountering a different reality.

“It’s easy being from Illinois. We’re used to…being one of the most immigrant friendly states in the country and so we get used to a lot of things, a lot of resources that are easily available, a lot of actions, a lot of movement, especially here in Chicago, but in a lot of these states, for example, Alabama, Arizona, you don’t have a lot of support, a lot of these networks,” he explained.

The crowd was populated by families. Baby carriages dotted the landscape; children played on the lawn of the capitol and grandparents rested when possible. The theme of the day, “One family, one Alabama,” fit well.

For Candelaria Sanchez of North Lake, it’s important to support Alabama’s families and let their legislators know that,”you can’t leave out immigrants. We’re part of this country’s growth.”

Among the many speakers, Senator ...