Thousands of people took to the streets in Los Angeles on Monday, calling for new legislation that would pave the way for undocumented immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

The demonstration, led by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Cardinal Roger Mahony, was part of a national "Day of Action" that followed the U.S. Senate's failure to approve federal legislation that would have provided a path to citizenship to some illegal immigrants.

The demonstrators waved U.S. flags and carried signs reading," Supporting the U.S. Economy is Not a Crime " and "Liberty and Justice for All."

"Today we say to America -- we've come here to work," Villaraigosa told the crowd near Olvera Street. "We clean your toilets. We clean your hotels.We build your houses. We take care of your children. We want you to help us take care of our children as well."

Villaraigosa encouraged demonstrators to continue rallying for legislation that will enforce the nation's immigration laws but also provide illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.

"We work hard. We play by the rules -- acknowledge our existence," Villaraigosa said. "We want to come into the sunlight. We want to come out of the dark."

His view was echoed by Cardinal Mahony, a strong advocate of immigration rights. He said: "We are America, the nation of immigrants seeking a better life for ourselves and our children. "

More than 500,000 people jammed downtown Los Angeles two weeks ago to protest a House bill approved in December that would have made it a felony to be in the country illegally. That bill also would have punished clergy and others helping illegal immigrants.

Senate leaders had tried in vain to agree on a measure last week offering legal permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for more than five years. The Senate got only 38 votes, and Congress is now on spring break.

U.S. President George W. Bush opposed amnesty for illegal immigrants no matter how long they have been in the country, saying it would be unfair to those who try to become citizens by following the rules. Many immigrants who came to the United States legally also were against granting illegal immigrants citizenship.

Source: Xinhua