"Our children must be honored by equal representation," she added.

If the campaign secures the approval of the council, Barrios said he will lead the efforts for approval by the state legislature.

Barrios said he helped spearhead a recent bill providing two million dollars in funding for assistance programs to help immigrants who want to gain their citizenship.

"Change is incremental, but we are moving in the right direction," Barrios said.

As part of yesterday's May Day rally, several speakers also spoke in support of amnesty for working immigrants, hoping to protect them from exploitation by employers as well as deportation.

"Many people continue to live in fear of being deported," said Elena Letona, director of Centro Presente.

After the rally, the council held its regular weekly meeting, moving quickly through the agenda in less than an hour, so that councillors could attend the wake of former state representative Alvin E. Thompson last night.

According to Decker, the petition must move through the council's committee structure before it can be brought before the council.