Despite the threat of protests by neo-Nazi groups, a celebration will bring together immigrants, their families and friends Thursday, Sept. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. The purpose will be to salute the 80 Minnesotans who will board buses Sunday in support of immigrant workers rights.

Inspired by the Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights movement, the 21st century freedom riders are focusing attention on the need for a better path to citizenship, family reunification for immigrants, and workers? rights to safety on the job.

?I always tell my children: We are all the same. With or without papers, we are all human beings,? said Armando Blas Garcia, an activist in the religious coalition ISAIAH and Shakopee resident. Garcia and his daughter, age 16, both originally from Mexico, are riding the bus together.

Suzanne Murphy, local coordinator for the ride, said organizers had received credible information that a neo-Nazi organization may be planning a protest at the Minneapolis celebration and other Freedom Ride events around the country. But she said local unions, churches, human rights groups and others supporting the ride were not going to be intimidated into changing their plans.

Minnesotan riders will meet with the Minnesota Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. to press for immigration reform, then rally with up to 150,000 others in New York to celebrate the contributions of immigrants to American society. The riders will return to Minnesota Oct. 6.