Walkout gets under way across U.S.

Monday, May 1, 2006; Posted: 12:05 p.m. EDT (16:05 GMT)

Organizers predict unprecedented rallies to support immigrants

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Demonstrators began to rally Monday against a proposed crackdown on illegal immigration, boycotting jobs, schools and businesses as a way to show the economic power of immigrants.

Organizers predicted unprecedented participation in Monday's rallies, saying people in many cities would join the protests.

"It will be tens of millions from coast to coast, from Los Angeles to New York," said Javier Rodriguez, a spokesman for the March 25 Coalition. (Watch activists predict huge turnouts -- 1:27)

Crowds gathered in Los Angeles, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana, but it was too early to gauge how many people would turn out.

One of the first rallies began at New Orleans' Armstrong Park, where people waved U.S. flags amid early crowds.

In southern Florida, a long line of people walked along U.S. 1 in Homestead, 35 miles south of Miami, according to The Associated Press.

In Mexico City, Mexico, where a May Day march was scheduled, some people planned to show support for the U.S. rallies and call for a boycott of 750 U.S. businesses that operate in that country.