As a child of parents who immigrated from Mexico, Martha Ochoa Diaz took time off as a Spanish court interpreter Monday to her show support for immigrants' rights.

Monday marked a series of demonstrations, dubbed "Day Without Immigrants," in major U.S. cities in which immigrants intended to show the economic impact they have on the country.

By staying home from work and boycotting the retail world, Ochoa Diaz said she found a way to join in the spirit of the marches from her home in Waseca.

"It was our way to show support in the only way we knew how," she said.

For others, the day culminated in a march through Central Park, where about 100 people gathered in support of immigration reform, carrying signs with slogans like "Our voices will be heard" and chanting "The people, united, will never be defeated!"

Jesus Torres, an organizer for Centro Campesino, told the audience that the day signified a step for Hispanics around the country to work together toward immigrant labor reforms.

"Today, the immigrant community is going to show this country how important we are," he said.

Though work issues have been at the forefront, the goal of the marches must also be to recognize the rights of immigrants not just as workers, but as people, Torres said, comparing the struggle of today's immigrants to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.

Susanna Deleon, a Minneapolis attorney who has worked with Centro Campesino, said she was encouraged to see residents of the community taking an interest in legislative actions concerning immigration reform.

A failure to speak out about potential reforms, she said, could complicate reuniting families in the future, particularly for those with relatives who've remained in Mexico.

"People need to come together on immigration reform," Deleon said. "We risk a lot of hardships if we don't offer a solution."

To show her support, Ochoa Diaz said she not only took the day off of work and abstained from shopping, but spent the day watching the events unfold with her family, flipping between news coverage on English- and Spanish-speaking channels.

The immigration issue has special meaning to her, she said, as her father first came to the country in 1961 as an illegal immigrant, deported twice before being granted citizenship about 20 years ago.

The message people should take from the day, she said, is that every facet of life in this country is affected by immigrants, be it the foods we eat, the services we receive or the businesses we patronize.

"The backbone of the immigrant community is behind that. For people to say we can get by without immigrants is ridiculous," Ochoa Diaz said. "With the actions we see today I hope that will open people's eyes to see the need for immigrants."

Tim Neuenschwander can be reached at 444-2377 or tneuenschwander@owatonna.com.