Protesting Immigration Advocates Halt Cedar Park Fourth Of July Parade (Video)

CEDAR PARK, TX — The Tuesday morning Cedar Park Fourth of July parade was briefly interrupted by protesters decrying an anti-immigration law due to take effect in September, according to a published report.

The group of protesters blocking the parade route were promptly removed by police, although no arrests were made. They were there to call attention to Senate Bill 4, a measure signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that seeks to end so-called "sanctuary cities" he views as being too lenient in allowing undocumented immigrants to live in their midst.

Due to take effect Sept. 1, the new law will allow police to inquire about people's citizenship status during traffic stops, implements fines and jail time for law enforcement seen as not complying with federal immigration law and enables even campus police to root out undocumented students during interactions.

"This law is racist," one protester said in Spanish with the use of a megaphone. "And we are here to resist."She continued to explain protesters' presence in both English and Spanish, putting the parade on temporary hold.

Related story: Texas Governor Signs Far-Reaching Anti-Immigration Law On Facebook Live

A protester with the Harvest Movement told KVUE the protesters were there to remind that the state and the nation needs immigrants. "We are here on Fourth of July to claim it as dependence day," Maria Cabello told the news station. "Because people are dependent on immigrants. That’s why we decided to disrupt 50 minutes of the parade because the lives of millions of immigrants -- millions of families will be separated, millions of families are going to go through so much pain -- starting Sept 1."

SB 4 essentially compels local law enforcement officials to fall in lockstep with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, requiring police chiefs and sheriffs to order their rank and file to honor detainer requests for undocumented residents on behalf of federal immigration officials.

Protest organizers also announced an economic boycott of the grocery store HEB in order to illustrate the economic impact of immigrants, KVUE reported. The boycott is scheduled to begin Aug. 1.

While the disruption was minor, it posed an inconvenience to those participating in and watching the annual Cedar Park parade staged to commemorate the Fourth of July. as some participants told the news station. The protest's timing, one said, was inappropriate.

Despite the intrusion, Cedar Park Police Chief Sean Mannix praised his officers for handling the situation peacefully and without the need for arrests. The protesters were allowed to continue their protest, away from the center of the Independence Day activities.

Mannix issued this prepared statement to the news station: "We respect the right of individuals to legally protest in Cedar Park for causes they feel strongly about. This morning was a perfect example of that. Cedar Park officers quickly relocated a group of protesters from the middle of the street to a nearby area where they were free to continue safely and legally exercising their First Amendment rights. I'm extremely proud of the professionalism exhibited by the Cedar Park Officers."

Trejo streamed the parade and protest on KVUE's Facebook page.

>>>Read the full story at KVUE

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