SALEM - Immigration rights advocates numbering in the thousands rallied across Oregon Monday for a milder immigration policy and to show the economic clout of the Hispanic population, joining a nationwide action.

Many skipped work to attend, but some businesses gave workers the day off and some others closed for the day. There were no immediate reports of major disruptions to business.

More than 8,000 people - mostly Hispanics - marched around the capitol in Salem and between 5,000 and 9,000 turned out in Portland chanting in Spanish “A United People We Will Never Be Defeated.”

There were smaller rallies elsewhere including Eugene, Medford, Hood River, Cannon Beach and Klamath Falls. All were peaceful.

Jose Lopez, a 34-year-old self-employed plumber from Mount Angel, said he attended the Salem march to honor his father, who came to the United States illegally and worked hard to raise a family.

“We need to have a voice as Latinos in this country. We do exist, and we're not leaving,” said Lopez.

Juan Garibay, 32, an undocumented tree planter was given the day off by his employer. He said he worries that new laws will be written that will separate him from his wife - who has U.S. citizenship - and their two children.

“All of my family is here. Everybody is legal except me,” he said.

Also in Salem, a few counter-protesters had a different message.

Elaine DeVore, 68, held a sign that read “U.S. Jobs For U.S. Citizens Only.”

“Somebody had to speak out. These illegals are yelling for their rights. In my opinion, if you are here illegally, you don't have any rights,” she said.

The largely Hispanic crowd in Portland was joined by union and church activists and others.

Although Hispanic leaders urged students to stay in class, some schools with large Hispanic enrollments reported substantial absences.

“I think we all want security but to blame this group ... takes the focus away from real reform,” Rebecca Hernandez, 39, said of illegal immigrants

Adolfo Juarez, 31, said he had walked off his construction job, along with others to be at the Portland rally.

Juarez, who has lived in the United States since childhood, but is not a citizen, said at first his boss was upset, but eventually understood.

Many of Oregon's Hispanics work in the state's thriving nursery industry.

At Northwest Shade Trees in Brooks, general manager Mac McCarter said the 20 Hispanics who work there had been told in advance they could take the day off, “so long as they let us know.”

“They let us know ahead of time,” said McCarter, but he didn't realize all 20 would stay away from work.

McCarter said other workers filled in.

Sergio G. Alvarizares, pastor of Casa del Padre in Northeast Portland, said he talked to his congregation on Sunday.

“There were some who were intimidated by employers and afraid to leave their jobs,” he said.

In Grants Pass, Lilia Espinosa, owner of the Casa Amiga deli and grocery, said she and other Mexican immigrants who owned businesses there were staying open.

“We come to this country to work,” said Espinosa. “Even if we want something better that we don't have, we want to be here working.”

Organizers hope the rallies across the nation will help sway Congress to pass immigration laws to allow many of the estimated 11 million-12 million undocumented immigrants of all nations to stay and work in the United States legally. The number in Oregon may be as high as 175,000.

-

Associated Press writers Typh Tucker in Portland and Jeff Barnard in Grants Pass contributed to this report.