Huge Chicago turnout; Texas, Calif. feel impact

• May 1, 2006 | Miami | 11:45 a.m. ET

NBC's Michelle Kosinski

This has been one of those events that people doubted would become really big in Miami. In the past, protests that are huge in other parts of the country don’t grow to that size here. 

But, by 8:00 a.m. this morning, an hour before today’s event was set to begin, there were already hundreds of people coming to the park. That was a sign that people are extremely motivated this time and that people of all groups were coming. There were flags from Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Dominican Republic. You don’t always see all of these groups often united this way – that’s been impressive.

The American flag is also prominently displayed.

So even people that are carrying big Guatemalan flags also are carrying an American flag, or they have the American flag above the flag of their nationality.

To see the crowd swell to what is right now an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 people is well beyond what anyone was expecting.

Police are saying the same thing. They thought that they might see a few hundred or possibly a thousand people. But when they started seeing thousands of people coming they said it was a real surprise. It’s also a pleasant surprise because it’s such peaceful gathering.

People have gathered outside the Sacred Heart Church here, walking about a mile to City Hall, and then heading to the Orange Bowl — a landmark in Miami. Many people have brought their children and they are walking along explaining to them what’s going on.

Just from talking to some of the people here watching the crowds, some of the police here have gotten a little choked up. It’s an emotional thing. Whether you agree with what the immigrants are hoping for, or you disagree with it. It’s an impressive sight. It becomes emotional to see how passionate people are about this country and to see how passionate they are about their freedom.

It’s yet to be seen how big the demonstration gets, but for the moment, it is one of the largest in Miami in the last five years.

— Michelle Kosinski, NBC News correspondent

• May 1, 2006 | Chicago | 11:40 a.m. ET

NBC's Kevin Tibbles

From the heart of Chicago, a city that has always been a magnet for immigrants, they have come from all directions to historic Union Square. Today they wave flags and cheer. Not just Mexican flags, but the colors of Poland, Ireland and several other nations are also flapping in the wind.

However, the predominant flag is the Stars and Stripes as thousands gather demanding immigration reform for an essentially grassroots movement that has grown, in large part, by word of mouth.

Organizer Gabriel Gonzalez hurried through the growing crowd to speak to us on MSNBC cable. All the while trying to find out via cellphone what's happened to the stage! Indeed, this may be a case of....even if you don't build it....people come.

But, no stage, and the threat of rain, has not hampered this march so far as people, who are not at work or school, are urged from a voice by a loudspeaker mounted on the roof of a car to walk together in unison. In fact, this is expected to be one of the largest rallies the "City of Big Shoulders" has ever seen.

And slowly, through the crowd creeps a huge semi trailer — a mobile stage. It will soon be set up and ready to go for the guest speakers. But for this enthusiastic crowd the luxury of a platform is something they were getting by without quite nicely.

— Kevin Tibbles, NBC News correspondent

• May 1, 2006 | Dallas| 11:40 a.m. ET

NBC News NBC's Bethany Thomas

Dallas is in the middle of a building boom in the downtown area. Cranes moving and guys walking around with hard hats are part of the way of life these days in Dallas. 

On my way into our NBC News bureau in downtown Dallas this morning, I stopped by the first construction sight I saw. Two men were standing by their truck looking a little unhappy and too idle for a sunny Monday morning. They proceeded to tell me, "There's no one here today." 

Most of their co-workers have taken the day off and without them, the two men had nothing better to do than hang out by the truck and wait for more labor.

Back in the bureau now, I have a view of downtown out my office window.  On a normal day, I would see four cranes maneuvering around.  Today, they are all standing still.

— Bethany Thomas, NBC News producer
   

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