"They're being kept in the equivalent of dog cages," said Families Belong Together demonstrator

The voices of thousands of people rang nationwide Saturday as protesters urged the reunification of hundreds of children separated from their parents at the U.S.- Mexico border.

"They're being kept in the equivalent of dog cages," said James Barker.

Chants echoed on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people took part in the "Families Belong Together" rally. 

A panel of speakers took to the podium, each one describing a heartbreaking story of how they were treated behind border walls to the challenges they now face on U.S. soil. Organizers said the goal of the protest was to demand action from the Trump Administration to reunite families at the U.S.- Mexico border who have been separated. "I can't imagine as a five year old being taken away from my parents," said Rachel Rucker who attended Saturday's rally. 

"How would you feel if you have children if they were taken away from you? Or your parents? And you never saw them again," said Bianca Ramos, demonstrator.

They're also demanding an end to family detentions and a reversal in the Trump Administration's 'Zero Tolerance' policy. Sedrick Murhula emigrated to the U.S. seven years ago from Congo. He said he escaped violence in his homeland and saw America as a place of opportunity and freedom.  

"I stayed in East Africa for six years as a refugee. I would never want anyone to go through it. And when they come to a great nation like this one they should be welcomed because that is the hope that they are seeing and looking for," said Sedrick Murhula, speaker for 'Families Belong Together'.

Some demonstrators said it's not a situation only one person is responsible for. "There are more people that are accountable than president Trump.  I think Democrats are at fault as well and I think we need to come together and unit and change this." 

Many demonstrators argue the U.S. was founded on immigrants and that liberty and justice for all is what the American dream was built on. "Our country was established on a place of safety and freedom and this is how we treat people who are seeking that," said James Barker. 

Demonstrator's said separating immigrant families and children won't' solve the immigration issue.