On Friday, members of the Asamblea de Derechos Civíles (Assembly of Civil Rights) marched down 3rd Ave S in Minneapolis chanting “a people united” and “We’ll be back! We’ll be back!”

Banners stating “Licenses not deportation keep families together,” and signs calling out to Governor Dayton to use his power were held up by the protesters as they ended their journey outside of Hennepin County Government Center Plaza.

Today in Minnesota, those who do not have legal status do not have the ability to obtain a driver’s license. This includes parents of children who are U.S citizens who need to drive to school, the grocery store and other places of necessity.

SF271 proposes modifications to the driver’s license applications and procedures, to allow thousands of immigrants licensure which would allow them to drive and have basic civil rights. This would ensure the safety not only of immigrants drivers, but everyone else on the road as they would be properly educated in driving rules and safety. The bill was passed by the Minnesota Senate and is waiting on the House to make the call and for Governor Dayton to sign it.

Organizations affiliated with Asamblea de Derechos Civíles from all over the state and country came to make their voice heard in Minnesota.

“We want a friendlier Minnesota and we want the people that are living here to have driver’s licenses,” said Father Tony Kroll, a retired priest of the Diocese of St. Cloud.

“A lot of immigrants are denied a driver’s license so we are hoping that the government will do something.”

Reverend Richard Freeman from Pennsylvania Interfaith Impact Network in Pittsburgh said, “Governor Dayton has the right to, by executive order, have it [the passing of the bill] done…We’re here today to demand that he gets it done before he leaves office because everybody has the right to work safely in our community and be able to do basic civil rights here in America.”

Churches and many other religious organizations have been lobbying for this bill to be passed for a number of years as they believe it will make Minnesota a safer place for everyone.

Patty Keeling, committee member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Waite Park said, “Call the governor! Tell him we want access to licenses!”