LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Thousands of immigration rights advocates and their allies planned to converge on Bakersfield Wednesday to demand action from lawmakers.
Billed as the largest car and bus caravan in California history, supporters of immigration reform from more than 100 cities were heading to U.S. Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s district.
McCarthy represents California’s 23rd congressional district, including most of Bakersfield as well as the Antelope Valley.
He is the third-ranking Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, and has served as the Majority Whip since 2011.
The purpose of Wednesday’s event was to raise the stakes on immigration reform during the congressional August recess, according to organizers.
They were demanding a vote on immigration reform by Sept. 30.
Some 200 cars were expected to gather at Dodger Stadium for the trip to Bakersfield. They planned to depart at 7 a.m., organizers said.
A caravan was planned through the streets of Bakersfield beginning at 11 a.m.
That will be followed by a rally at Yoktus Park at noon and a march to Rep. McCarthy’s office starting at 1 p.m.