The Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. — Hundreds of people rallying here hoped Gov. Brad Henry in Oklahoma City would hear their call for him to veto an immigration reform bill approved in the Legislature.

The group of mainly Hispanic people marched down Garnett Road Saturday afternoon toward East Central High School. They were joined by a group of American Indians, as well as those attending a counter-demonstration opposing illegal immigration.

“Our hope is that this bill will be vetoed,” the Rev. Victor Orta, president of the American Dream Coalition, said of House Bill 1804. “We would be sending a very negative signal to the whole world that Oklahoma is anti-immigrant by the mere fact that this bill is the harshest anti-immigration bill in the whole United States.”

The measure would ban state and local governments from contracting with businesses that do not verify citizenship of their new employees. It also makes transporting, concealing and sheltering undocumented immigrants a felony.

Henry has until Tuesday to sign or veto the measure.

Those who emigrate to the United States come to work, said Cindy Martin, vice president of the Tulsa Indian Coalition Against Racism.

“We’re here to support their immigration reform,” Martin said. “As American Indians, we find it ironic that the term used in this debate includes ’invaders.”’

Before the march began, about a dozen people on the opposite side of the street spoke against illegal immigration and open borders. Missouri resident Ed Witte said the issue isn’t about being against Hispanics or Mexicans.

“We have to put a stop to this illegalization,” Witte said. “It’s not about race, it’s about protecting our borders. I’m just doing my part to serve my country today.

“My dad fought for this country. He’s not here to defend it now, so I am.”

State Sen. James Williamson, R-Tulsa, co-author of the bill along with state Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said Friday he believes in everyone’s right to rally and speak out on the bill.

“I think the level of communication is indicative of the level of concern among citizens concerning the bill,” Williamson said.

Sebastian Lantos, a naturalized citizen and board member on the Governor’s Council of Latin America and Hispanic Affairs, said views on both sides of the issue show the government must act soon.