Thousands of marchers descended on National Avenue in Milwaukee and an estimated 500 marched at the state Capitol Saturday as part of the annual May Day immigration march.
The march in Milwaukee, which was planned months before the recent passage of a controversial Arizona immigration reform law, was one of over 80 May Day marches nationwide that protested the law.
People from across the state joined the march, which featured a speech from Rafael Reyes, an Arizona native and member of the National Day Labor Organizing Network.
""There is a presence of fear in Arizona, but also a presence of strength and beauty in the young people and elders who are protesting, holding vigils, fasting and calling for SB 1070 to be defeated,"" he said in a statement about the rally.
The law, which passed in April, gives Arizona state and local law enforcement power to question individuals about their immigration status if they have reason to believe the person is in the United State illegally.
The law aims to bring Arizona law in line with federal immigration policy, and its provisions make it a state crime for undocumented individuals to reside in Arizona.
Since the bill passed, President Barack Obama's administration and politicians across the country have come out against the law.
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano said the law diverts ""critical law enforcement resources from the most serious threats to public safety"" and may get in the way of federal law enforcement's duties.
Students from Madison who attended the rally, including Student Council Rep. Maxwell Love, said it is important for students on campus to protest the law. Love said the crowd included individuals from many different backgrounds.
""It is definitely something students should care about,"" he said of the Arizona law. ""What did students do during Vietnam, during the South African apartheid? ... They fought back. Students have power which needs to be catalyzed.""
