ESTIMATED 1,200 MARCH IN WINTER HAVEN FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

Winter Haven is generally considered a small, peaceful city, but Saturday morning a crowd counted at between 1,000 and 1,200 marched three miles from the city's Chain Of Lakes Recreational Complex across town to Inman Park in support of immigration rights and against a proposed bill before the House of Representatives which would criminalize illegal immigrants and those companies and individuals who would hire, aid, or hide them.

The march was peaceful as drivers along U.S. 17 either honked their horns in support or gave a "thumbs down" signal in opposition. At the park, located at one of the city's busiest intersections, several speakers addressed the gathering in both English and Spanish about how the proposed law would affect them and what they could do about it.

This is the latest in a series of protests throughout Florida which support a guest worker programme and allowing those immigrants currently here to apply for citizenship after meeting several criteria such as learning English and paying a fine.

Here is the news story from today's Winter Haven News Chief, and another from the Lakeland Ledger.