Dozens of people from Manitoba's Ethiopian community marched to raise awareness about violence and working conditions in Saudi Arabia.

With flags in hand, marchers walked from downtown to the Legislative Building. Many immigrants from Ethiopia and other countries go to Saudi Arabia to work.

Demonstrators say human rights abuses are rampant and the media is turning a blind eye to what goes on.

"This is something we have to speak up against and it starts from us stepping out and holding protests such as this to let media know that we have had enough,” Faven Mergia.“We are standing up for them."

Mergia said says the violence facing immigrants in Saudi Arabia is escalating and urges people to become more engaged on social media.