By Jorge Calvillo (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Oct 05, 2013 07:12 PM EDT

The "Francisco Morazán Honduran Integrated Organization" of Miami joined the protests in favor of immigration reform which took place Saturday in 39 U.S. states, according to local media.

According to information published by El Nuevo Herald, activists in favor of immigration reform in Miami formed a coalition that will seek to send a convincing message to the U.S. government.

"You might shut down the government but we will keep fighting", declared Francisco Portillo, president of the Francisco Morazán Honduran Integrated Organization, during a press conference with the media Tuesday in Little Havana.

The collective presided by Portillo was part of a coalition of community and immigration support groups that marched on Saturday in Miami, as a part of the National Day of Action for Immigration Reform and Family Unity.

In Miami, protesters started marching from José Martí Park, in Little Havana at 1 p.m. and traveled down Eighth Street to Southwest 13th Avenue.

With these actions, community groups sought to exert pressure on legislators so that they finally approve the immigration reform bill that has been suspended in the House of Representatives since July 27, when it was approved by the Senate.

Latino Artists Will Also Join the Protests

According to information published by Mexican newspaper El Universal, activists in favor of immigrant rights and other Hispanic organizations arranged at least 140 protests and other events in 39 states in the U.S. for Saturday.

Some events were joined by Hispanic artists, among them Lila Downs and Los Tigres Del Norte, who are scheduled to sing as part of the protests in Washington on Oct. 8 and will culminate in a march towards the Capitol, according to website 7 Días.

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