SOUTH BEND — Hundreds of Hispanics crowded into and outside of the South Bend Common Council's meeting Monday night to support a council resolution opposing a state Senate bill that would let police verify citizenship status if they have probable cause to believe the inquiry is warranted.
After the council's 8-0 vote, the crowd clapped in unison and began chanting, "Yes, we can!" before quickly being gaveled to silence.
At the start of the meeting, hundreds of Hispanics stood in the hall outside the council meeting room because there was no more available seating inside. Before South Bend attorney Rudy Monterrosa read the resolution in Spanish, community organizer Jesusa Rivera had asked the council to open the doors of the room so that those standing outside could hear the Spanish version.
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