National Day of Action for Immigrant Dignity and Respect

Across the country, immigration reform advocates launched 183 major mobilization efforts, rallies, vigils, pilgrimages, and direct actions in over 40 states to call on Congress to stop the partisan logjam and create a pathway to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans. The Oct. 5 actions marked the beginning of the movement's renewed fight for a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

"This is absolutely a workers' issue," said Victoria Fisher, a shop steward and member of CWA Local 1037's Next Generation Caucus. "We need to get our legislators, our president, everyone, to hear our voices and to take action on this issue."

Fisher joined protesters at the Hall of Records in Freehold, N.J. Speakers from Casa Freehold, SEIU 32BJ, NJ Communities United and CWA Local 1037 rallied the crowd to demand that Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) support immigration reform in Congress. Watch a video of their demonstration here.

In California, CWA activists put on a concert, Rock 4 Citizenship, in downtown Bakersfield, home to House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R). Reggae, hip-hop, metal and rock-and-roll bands performed for free, as activists sent this message to the influential lawmaker: "We want a vote NOW!"

CWAers in Northern Indiana marched to the office of Rep. Jackie Walorski (R) to demand that she take a lead in the House to support comprehensive immigration reform.

IUE-CWA bussed activists to Springfield, Ohio, where they marched on House Speaker John Boehner's office. About 1,000 people urged Boehner to end the government shutdown and get back to work on immigration.

Rallies also were held in Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, San Antonio and Miami. About 2,000 activists marched through Hollywood, Calif. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined the crowds in Chicago, and 5,000 marched across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Reformers gathered 3,000 people in Houston and 6,000 people in Phoenix to send the "Time is NOW!" message to lawmakers.

Check out a recap of all the actions here.

And take a look at more of CWA's photos here.

CWA Local 1037 members join several hundred protesters in Freehold, N.J., to draw attention to the stalled immigration reform efforts in Congress.

CWA activists in Bakersfield, Calif., put on a concert supporting immigration reform: Rock 4 Citizenship.

IUE-CWA members rally in Springfield, Ohio, to march on House Speaker John Boehner's office.

About 3,000 people march through downtown Phoenix, chanting "Si, se Puede!" and "Yes, we can!"

CWAers march in San Antonio for comprehensive immigration reform.

CWA District 4 Vice President Linda Hinton, CWA-NABET President Jim Joyce, CWA District 4 Assistant to the Vice President Jerry Schaeff and CWA-NABET Administrator of Sector Ops Jodi Fabrizio-Clontz rally with NABET and CWA members in Detroit.