A group of residents celebrated Father’s Day by rallying to create a path to citizenship for many fathers across the country.

The Celebrate Immigrant Fathers March and Rally for Citizenship for All was held in Elizabeth Sunday.

Over 100 people came out to pay tribute to immigrant fathers who worked during the pandemic to support their family. They also spoke out to create a pathway to citizenship for some and stop deportation.

The rally started at Mattano Park and transitioned into an over one-mile march to Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park followed by another rally, including speeches by the groups and families impacted.

Organizer of the event, Erika Martinez, says the goal of the event is to get fathers a pathway to citizenship.

“It’s to celebrate immigrant fathers, but also to make a call to Congress and tell them to act now,” Martinez says.

The rally and demonstration will be followed by a picnic at Mattano Park, which is scheduled to go throughout the afternoon.