New London - Standing off to the side as a group of young dancers twirled through an upbeat closing routine, the Rev. Daniel Martino explained the importance of Sunday afternoon's rally on immigration reform.

"For us, it's not just an event. It's our calling," said Martino, pastor at First Hispanic Baptist Church of New London. "It's what we do every day."

Martino was not alone Sunday. Several others took a microphone on the parade and argued passionately for immigration reform.

Shalimar Ramos Wuyke kicked off the "United for a Fair Immigration Reform" rally, telling the crowd that, "We're giving a voice to the millions of undocumented people in the United States."

Organized by the Advocates for Fair Immigration Reform Movement, the 90-minute event featured several speakers, dance numbers by the Peruvian Dance School of New London and frequent chants of "Si se puede" - "Yes we can." Martino and Wuyke worked throughout the rally to relay speeches to the crowd in both English and Spanish.

By Martino's count, more than 300 supporters showed up for the event, which was about three months in the making. State Rep. Ernest Hewett, D-New London, addressed the crowd and mayor hopefuls Daryl Finizio and Michael Passero were also in attendance.

For New London's Nancy Rosado, the event provided the chance to be heard.

"I found this very interesting because we're all immigrants," said Rosado, who spent much of her youth in Puerto Rico. "Not only Hispanics are immigrants and we deserve the same opportunities."

The group brought along a number of signs - "Being human is not illegal," read one - as they packed the parade. A group of students from Connecticut College thrust several signs in the air as others waved miniature American flags.

Hewett told the crowd he supports House Bill 6390, which would help undocumented students qualify for in-state tuition at state universities and colleges.

Wuyke called Sunday's rally a great success. She said AFFIRM may protest at the state Capitol in the future, but has yet to decide what's next.

"We are not going to stop. That's how much we know," she said.

Meanwhile, Jay Klemundt, director of United Action Connecticut, a faith-based organization, said Sunday he was impressed by the rally. Involved in the event in a supportive role, Klemundt said others around the state took notice.

"People from other cities were saying, 'Gee that's a neat idea. We'll have to do that too,'" Klemundt said. "New London may be out in front on this one."

The Rev. Robert Washabaugh, pastor of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, may have summed up the event when he addressed the crowd.

"We have to think globally and act locally," he said.

jeff.johnson@theday.com