A thousand people marched in Homestead on Saturday just down the road from where more than a thousand kids are being held.
Brenda Gonzalez said she marched for her friend who was detained less than a week ago.
"Paolo was making an honest living he was driving home from work when he got pulled over for a busted taillight and he has not been released since then," she said.
Not everyone had a direct connection.
Large turnout for the #MarchToFreeTheChildren in Homestead pic.twitter.com/CK0etlYWgy
— Sabirah (@sabirahrayford) June 23, 2018
A Boca Raton family said they didn't like what they've been seeing.
"I know what it's like to love my parents and I can't even imagine what would happen if I had to be separated from them it would be the worst experience ever," one protester said.
Some familiar faces took part in the march. Actor Christian Slater told WPTV the separation of children from their parents is un-American.
"The zero tolerance policy separating families is something I think everybody else feels strongly about that shouldn't be happening in America," Slater said.
I talked with @ChristianSlater about why he decided to come out and show his support. I’ll have that interview and more coming up on @WPTV at 6 pic.twitter.com/nQ0voPQTcW
— Sabirah (@sabirahrayford) June 23, 2018
Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson was turned away from the temporary shelter for immigrant children. He and other lawmakers returned to the facility, Saturday. This time they were allowed in, but questions still remain.
"When are they going to be reunited," Nelson said.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending his administration's policy of separating migrant children from their parents, Wednesday. But in Homestead where around 1,200 kids are being housed U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch says around 70 of them are still separated from their families.
"What that executive order did not provide is clear instruction to reunify these families as quickly as possible," he said.
After the rally protesters were planning to light candles for the children being held in the center. But heavy rain caused the event to wrap up early.
