Latinos Observe Holy Saturday, Urge Immigration Reform

Latino community and church leaders expect a few hundred to come out Saturday in Downtown Los Angeles to reenact the Procession of the Cross.

Activists and clergy came together Tuesday to announce the reenactment, which will begin at the intersection of Broadway and Olympic boulevards. Leaders plan to merge the religious ritual with a public call for immigration reform.

Rev. Walter Contreras, the Vice-President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, urged Congress to come together for the Latino community and fix immigration.

"We are asking people in power to bear the cross with us," Contreras said. "It's time for resurrection."

Contreras said the reenactment of the Procession of the Cross - Jesus' carrying of the cross before his crucifixion - will symbolize the burden that the Latino community has carried since immigration reform became a contentious issue. 

After commemorating Jesus' passion on Saturday, leaders said they plan to lay down the cross on Easter Sunday at a church in Skid Row.