Southwest Florida residents march to protest recent immigration legislation

From the heart of downtown Fort Myers to a bar and grill in Tice, more than 300 people marched down Palm Beach Boulevard in the scorching sun in support of the immigration community.

Residents, immigrants, Hispanic workers, and immigration organizations convened in Fort Myers for a march to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis's immigration legislation, SB 1718, before it takes effect at the end of this week on July 1.

Drums beat on step with the enthusiastic marchers as they shout phrases “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!" and “¡Si se puede!” The phrases translate to "The people united will never be defeated!" and "Yes we can!"

Signs reading “we are all immigrant,” “Say no to SB 1718,” and “Immigrants are the pillars of this country,” could be seen flying proudly in the air next to Mexican, American and Guatemalan flags as well as flags from the Immokalee Coalition that read "Justice for Farm Workers."

Unidos Immokalee, which describes itself as a collective of people elevating voices and demanding change, spread the word on social media about the action and helped organize marches earlier this month.

Florida has an estimated undocumented population of 772,000, while undocumented farmworkers are estimated at 300,000 − the equivalent of the combined populations of Cape Coral and North Port.

Immokalee, the rural Collier County community where almost 40% of the population was born outside the United States, is critical to Southwest Florida’s agricultural, construction, and tourism industries.

Lucas Benitez 48, a Member of the Immokalee Coalition of Workers, spoke to the crowd on top of a white truck about why they are here today.

“We are marching for the rights of all immigrants, for the rights of families, and for the rights of the state really because our state will suffer, our business and economy will suffer because of this anti-immigration law, which will segregate our community,” Benitez said.

He came to Immokalee as an immigrant 30 years ago and eventually became an American citizen.

He said the climate among the people in Immokalee is one of fear as the true extent of the damage will not be known until fall and see if workers return to the state for farming.

Previous coverage Southwest Florida residents plan march and labor protest against DeSantis' immigration law

SB 1718 impact Florida businesses New immigration law sparks fear and worker exodus from Florida

DeSantis, who recently announced his 2024 presidential candidacy, signed the anti-immigrant legislation into law in May.

The legislation enhances employment requirements, bans local governments from contributing money to organizations creating identification cards for undocumented immigrants, bars driver’s licenses issued to non-citizens in other states from use in Florida, and repeals a 2014 law that allowed undocumented immigrants to be admitted to practice law in Florida.

Besides the bill, the governor has been taking a hardline approach on immigration issues, including flying migrants out to other states, and announcing a plan this week to restrict asylum claims, finish Trump's border wall, and end birthright citizenship if elected president.

Several protesters blasted the governor's restrictive policies.

“DeSantis eschuechas, estamos en la lucha,” the crowd chanted many times, which translates to "Listen, DeSantis, we are in this fight."

Magdiel Cruz, 35, a Fort Myers construction worker, said he came out to show his support for the Hispanic community.

He said he worries about that construction companies won’t have enough workers to keep up with the demand.

“It gives us more work because there are no workers, and we can’t get more workers because those workers have left because of the law," Cruz said.

He’s asking legislators in Tallahassee to listen to today’s protesters and see how the law will affect everyone in Florida.

Sandra Copado, 39, is an immigrant who sells nutritional products. In Fort Myers for 16 years, she called the law “inhumane” and calls for its repeal. She said the law has affected her work as she’s seen her clientele leave or contemplating leaving.

“Many of my clients have left to other states,” Copado said. “They talk with a lot of fear.”

She calls for DeSantis to listen to the workers and business owners and repeal the law.

Yareliz Mendez, federal lead with FLIC, said they want to introduce legislation that negates the effects of SB 1718. “We hope that our legislators understand,” “But we're hoping to ensure that this Bill gets completely negated.”

Bookended by Taco City food truck and a concert stage, El Nuevo Maguey Bar and Grill welcomes the group protesting recent anti-immigration legislation.

Boxes of Rice Krispy Treats, Chewy granola bars and assorted chips sat next to baskets of apples and oranges. Marchers snacked on the donated items after their almost 5-mile march in near 90-degree moist heat. Employees grilled hot dogs and passed out refreshments.

Restaurant manager Efrain Mora donned the Puerto Rican flag on both his hat and shirt. He immigrated from Puerto Rico in 2000 and settled in Fort Myers in 2006.

He worked with the march’s organizers to use the restaurant as the ending point.

“They came and talked with us, and we helped a little bit with the place, some food,” he said.

El Nuevo Maguey Bar and Grill will also participate in a work stoppage protest between June 28 and July 5, Mora said.

“My opinion [on the immigration law] is it’s bad government,” he said. “Everybody here is an immigrant, but maybe Latins do the hard work: roofs, grass, fruit.”

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official. Emma Behrmann is a breaking news reporter for the Naples Daily News and Fort Myers News-Press. You may reach her at EBehrmann@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @emmabehrmann.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: DeSantis immigration law protested in Fort Myers as hundreds march