Several thousand demonstrators in South Africa march to condemn deadly attacks on immigrants

Men stand against a wall as police officers search their room during a raid at a hostel at Alexandra township in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, April 23, 2015. Police and soldiers raided the hostel considered a hotspot for anti-immigrant attacks as South Africa continued a crackdown on anti-immigrant violence. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe ) (The Associated Press)

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A soldier stands guard as police officers raid a hostel at Alexandra township in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, April 23, 2015. Police and soldiers raided the hostel considered a hotspot for anti-immigrant attacks as South Africa continued a crackdown on anti-immigrant violence. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe ) (The Associated Press)

People attend a march against xenophobic attacks in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, April 23, 2015. Police officers and soldiers raided a hostel considered a hotspot for anti-immigrant attacks for the second day running in Johannesburg as South Africa continued a crackdown on xenophobic violence. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) (The Associated Press)

JOHANNESBURG – Several thousand people are marching through South Africa's largest city in a demonstration against recent attacks on immigrants that killed seven people.

Demonstrators walked through the center of Johannesburg on Thursday, passing neighborhoods that are home to many immigrants, a large number of whom come from other African countries.

The marchers include university students and children in school uniform. They are carrying placards with slogans including "Africa Unite" and "Say No To Xenophobia."

The violence against immigrants in South Africa this month occurred in Johannesburg and another major city, Durban. The attacks stemmed from a perception among some South Africans that immigrants are taking jobs and opportunities at their expense.