Sunday's immigrant-rights rally drew only a couple of thousand people, a fraction of the 350,000 to 500,000 who flooded downtown nearly a year ago.

The rally, however, is more reflective of the movement occurring in Hispanic communities.

Unlike the 2006 almost-spontaneous march that packed a one-time bolt on the political scene, the Hispanic drive for political and economic empowerment is more likely to take years – even decades – to become reality.

And like Sunday, much of the groundwork is going to be set in motion by a committed few. That's the way movements go.

Hispanics will one day will be dominant players on the local, state and national political scene. Their clout will be realized when their voting-age population matures and new residents become acclimated to the political process.

The challenge for activists is to speed the process.

There have been positive signs.

Nationally, citizenship applications are up 80 percent over the previous year.

And the revived immigration debate – both locally and nationally – could spark political awareness in those who would otherwise be apathetic.

In cities like Dallas, the hard work still involves getting the average Hispanic interested in casual voting.

In the months after the 2006 march, elections officials across the state said the number of new registered voters was flat, compared with previous cycles.

In Dallas County, Hispanic voter turnout dipped 2 percentage points for the November election.

With low turnout expected across the board, it's unlikely Hispanics, or any other group, will have dazzling numbers for the May municipal elections.

But there's always another election. And if activists stay focused, Hispanics eventually will realize their power – and use it.

gjeffers@dallasnews.com