Hundreds celebrate Latin American independence days in downtown Los Angeles

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hundreds of people gathered in the streets outside of City Hall in downtown Los Angeles Friday to celebrate the independence days of Mexico and six other Latin American countries.

During the event, there was a tribute to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, known as Dreamers. They are undocumented young immigrants who were brought to this country illegally as children.

"We're standing and we're going to fight for it," Maria Tello said. ""We have to remain positive and we have to stand for it. We are making an impact as immigrants."

Tello is a Dreamer. She hopes the Trump administration won't go forward with plans to end the program.

Yadira Ramirez, a supporter of Dreamers, said it didn't make sense to deport immigrants who were contributing members of society.

"It feels very un-American to try to get somebody who was basically raised here - raised here, they don't know any other place but here - to take them out," she said.

Some people are also wondering about the impact of a sanctuary state measure that appears close to being approved by California lawmakers. The bill would put limits on police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

"I think it would be a good thing for that to be limited, but the reality is that there's still a lot of discrimination that happens, I think. So, it's a step in the right direction but there's always more," Oakland resident Christian Ruiz said.

The celebration wrapped up around midnight.