Latinos rally against harsh immigration laws

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 5-thousand people -- mostly Latino -- are at the state Capitol today to protest proposed immigration laws that they say are too harsh. <br/><br/>Ed Romo -- vice president

Saturday, April 1st 2006, 4:05 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ More than 5-thousand people -- mostly Latino -- are at the state Capitol today to protest proposed immigration laws that they say are too harsh.

Ed Romo -- vice president of the League of United Latin American Councils -- says the crowd is the show of unity that the Latin American community has needed in Oklahoma.

Romo says it is uplifting and demonstrates how proud Latinos are to be American.

A number of speakers at the rally urged members of the crowd to register to vote. A registration booth was set up on the south side of the Capitol.

Oklahoma conservative are calling for tighter state laws to stop illegal immigrants from receiving tax-supported services.

The state House has passed legislation to require public employees to report suspected illegal aliens who seek state government aid like food stamps and Medicaid.

But the measure's Senate author has withdrawn his support. Senator Jeff Rabon of Hugo says he found the bill -- quote -- ``exceedingly harsh.''

The bill was criticized by Latino groups and some Oklahoma clerics who said it could stop legal immigrants and their families from seeking government services to which they are entitled.