Hundreds of protesters fill the streets of McAllen in support of migrant rights

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Hundreds of protesters gathered on a busy McAllen street on Saturday in support of migrants following the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts.

Dozens of vehicles and hundreds of people waved the Mexican flag on Saturday evening on South 10th Street in McAllen to "Speak for those who can't."

Signs that read "Stop Mass Deportation," "Immigrants pay more taxes than Trump!," No one is illegal on stolen land," "Mi papa trabaja mas que su president," which translates to my father works more than your president, amongst others were seen held up by the large crowd of people.

Gilberto Valdez, organizer of the McAllen protest, said this [protest] is for all the gente Latina, for those who gave us a chance of a better life.

For Valdez, this protest is important not only for his community but for himself. He said is a first-generation Mexican-American, and his parents gave him a chance at a better life.

He organized this protest to not only stand up and speak up for his parents but also for those who are being affected by the new administration's mass deportation efforts.

Valdez emphasized that when he posted about the protest on TikTok he wasn’t certain what was going to happen, and now as the day is here, he is proud of his community.

"[Seeing all these people] makes feel that there's still heart here in the Valley, there is still hope and faith, that people still want to see something new here," Valdez said.

Jose Torres attended the rally and he said the attack against the immigrant community hits close to home.

"We believe that the immigrant [community] built this country, my parents were immigrants and therefore I think I have a very close tie to the [them]," Torres said. "We have to defend them, we can not allow this government to them as scapegoats."

He added this country was built by immigrants why is it now a problem, why is the Trump administration attacking this community?

Lizebeth Mendoza told ValleyCentral that it is important to speak up because not everyone has the privilege.

"It's scary to stay complacent, and if you stay complacent things like this can happen, we need to move forward as a community," Mendoza added.

She said that seeing so many people coming together for migrants' rights makes her really happy, and she hopes to see more gatherings such as these in the future.

Torres added seeing the protest grow as the evening went on made him proud of the Valley and hopes that this will let the migrant community know they have the support of the Valley.

"We hope that more people step up to defend our brothers and sisters, in every way possible, not only by this demonstration but by other measures as well," Torres said.

Valdez hopes this protest can help bring less fear for migrants, who have been living here for many years, paying their taxes and deserve equal rights.