Immigrants in Spain Protest New Law
Thousands of people, many of them immigrants from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, marched Sunday to protest a tough new law that threatens illegal immigrants with immediate expulsion.
Organizers said about 40,000 protesters marched to the offices of the Interior Ministry to push for work and residency papers. Police put the crowd count at 10,000.
The protest comes after a two-week hunger strike staged by about 700 immigrants. The strikers ended their protest Saturday when authorities agreed to review the cases of 34,000 undocumented workers denied visas during a legalization process prior to the new law.
The new law, which took effect last month, denies illegal immigrants the right to join unions, hold public assemblies or go on strike. It also denies them legal and housing aid and schooling for their children.
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