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Everyone was ready. From lawmen to police dogs, but the crowd they were ready to control did not show.

It was billed as the second May Day march for better treatment of illegal immigrants. Across the country, crowds were much smaller than just a year ago.

At its peak, only about 100 demonstrators showed up outside the Mickey Leland Federal Building in Houston.

A far cry from last year's rallies locally, some estimated at 10,000 plus.

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Does lack of participation in rally signal the battle is lost for immigration reform proponents?

Where did all the voices go?

Organizers blame federal raids on undocumented workers.

“They're afraid of being arrested, they're afraid of being deported they're afraid of just being taken away from their families,” said

Strategy may also be changing, focusing on political lobbying vs. emotional rallies.

There was also less organization and less transportation.

Last year many of the protestors were bused in. Not this time.

Last year too the city’s number one rated radio program, which is in Spanish -- heavily promoted the rallies.

Edward Pineda said not this year.

“They didn't have a lot of promotion,” said Pineda. “I think this year they were more conservative. I saw them here last year. I don't see them this year.”

Last time, a key immigration vote was looming before the senate.

The result? Perhaps more smoke than fire.