By Globe Staff

Sparked by fears Congress will pass harsh laws cracking down on illegal immigration, thousands of immigrants and citizens filled the streets of downtown Oakland on Monday, the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice.
    Police estimated the turnout at 10,000. Organizers say it was twice that. Nationwide, over one million came out to voice their anger. Some 50,000 rallied in Atlanta, which has a growing Hispanic population. Others rallied in New York, Los Angeles and even Idaho.
    Oakland’s demonstrators marched from St. Bernard’s Catholic Church on 100th Ave. and International Blvd. and rallied downtown in front of City Hall.
    More joined the procession along the way and cars followed with horns honking and flags draped from windows. Men, women and children marched and sang. Instead of waving red, green and white Mexican flags, which had been used in other protests, many carried American flags.
   “We pay taxes here and we do lots of the work no one else wants,” said Jose Lopez of Oakland, as he marched down 14th St. as others cheered from the packed sidewalks. “We deserve to be treated with respect and not as criminals.”

   “Bush Step Down” read one protest sign. “We Are America,” said another. “Legalize Don’t Criminalize.”
    Many of the marchers shouted, “USA. Sí, se puede.” (Yes, we can.)
   “This is a great day for our community,” said Marie Cortez. “We are coming out here for our parents who made it possible for us to be here in America. I was born in California, which used to be part of Mexico. We are also here for our children, so they can have a future.”
    There are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S., and some 36 million Hispanics have now replaced African Americans (35 million) as the nation’s number one minority group.
    A House of Representatives measure seeks to crack down on illegal immigrants and stop the flow at border states. A measure in the Senate was stalled last week as protests grew. In two weeks, Congress will reconsider the issue, which has caused waves of Hispanics to register to vote. Many are calling the wide-spread effort a new civil rights movement.
    The issue has caused a split between some Republicans. Some conservatives say immigrants are needed for low-wage jobs ranging from agriculture to maintenance. But other Republicans say strict laws may drive more Latinos into the arms of Democrats.
    About 40 percent of Hispanics normally vote Republican, and 50 percent reside in Florida, Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona. Their numbers are growing in New York, Illinois and Georgia.