Thread: Immigration Reform Rally Draws Thousands

I saw WGN coverage of the "rally". They were chanting something I couldn't understand. I saw a couple of mexican and a couple of American flags.

There was also a BoA protest in the segment although I couldn't figure out where it was.

Thousands, no way.

Year later, battle goes on
Immigration rally marks anniversary of massive march


http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/loca ... i-news-hed


By Antonio Olivo
Tribune staff reporter
Published March 11, 2007




Marking the anniversary of the first of several massive immigration marches in Chicago last year, about 1,000 demonstrators rallied again in the Loop Saturday in what organizers said was a warm-up to other mobilizations planned for the spring.

The often low-key afternoon rally at Federal Plaza was primarily meant to condemn recent federal raids across the country. Several speakers called on officials to stop their sweeps for undocumented immigrants until Congress settles on a new immigration policy.

But organizers also sought to broaden support as they prepare for two months of demonstrations, which started with the rally, will include prayer vigils and other neighborhood events and will culminate in another march May 1 through the Loop.

"We cannot have a government that will not allow mothers and fathers to stay in this country but will send sons and daughters to fight an unjust war," Omar Lopez, a lead organizer, told the crowd of mostly Hispanic immigrants, many holding American flags or hoisting children on their shoulders.

The broader approach shows how the immigration reform movement here has changed in the year since the marches.

Though anger over a federal bill that would have made helping undocumented immigrants a felony galvanized protesters a year ago, the atmosphere is less charged today. That makes it harder to pull people out to the streets, organizers acknowledged.

Part of the reason is the growing possibility that Congress will approve some kind of reform that would open the door to citizenship for some of the country's 12 million undocumented immigrants, organizers said.

That has moved some in the movement to become more strategic in their efforts, shifting away from marching and toward lobbying campaigns and get-out-the-vote drives meant to pressure specific federal and state lawmakers.

"There's an awful lot of thought behind what we have to do," said Joshua Hoyt, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. The group last week launched a $450,000 lobbying campaign that will include community field trips to the offices of state and federal legislators.

"We're very clear that it comes down to what a relatively small universe of people do this year," Hoyt said, referring to Congress.

The recent federal immigration raids are a growing backdrop in those discussions.

Two blocks from the rally, about 40 members of the Illinois Minuteman Project staged their own protest that, among other things, called for more deportations.

But at Federal Plaza, many demonstrators held signs that called on the U.S. government to "Stop the raids!" or that showed pictures of families split apart after some members were deported.

Eligio Chavez, 54, and his family went to Federal Plaza with pictures of some of his former co-workers at the IFCO Systems wood-pallet manufacturing plant in McKinley Park. He and about 30 others were swept up in raids last year at IFCO sites in nine states.

Though Chavez said he was later released when he showed proof of being in the country legally, he hasn't been able to find another job.

"It's been hard for my entire family," he said. "We want these raids to stop until they decide how to deal with all the immigrants who are here, working hard."

Frances Aparicio, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago who is contributing to a book about last year's marches, said the raids have sparked fear among immigrants that may hinder future efforts to mobilize.

"That [fear] isn't necessarily going to go away," she said. "It's a reality."

Solomon Perez, who arrived in Chicago 10 years ago, acknowledged that he and his family have been more cautious about speaking out since they marched through the Loop a year ago Saturday. But they came to the commemorative rally anyway because "it's important to show we're not afraid of anything," Perez said. "We crossed the border. This is nothing by comparison."

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aolivo@tribune.com

But they came to the commemorative rally anyway because "it's important to show we're not afraid of anything," Perez said. "We crossed the border. This is nothing by comparison."

I find it so idiotic that illegals talk as if sneaking across the border illegally is a badge of honor and a sign of bravery, when it is a cowardly and criminal activity.

Originally Posted by had_enuf

I saw WGN coverage of the "rally". They were chanting something I couldn't understand. I saw a couple of mexican and a couple of American flags.

There was also a BoA protest in the segment although I couldn't figure out where it was.

Thousands, no way.

Pardon spelling

Aqui, estamos y no nos vamos.

I just watched that too. They were saying we're here, and we're not going. To bad there were not subtitles -would have pissed off some more Americans. I did see any coverage on the counter minutemen protest. Do you on WGN? I was watching NBC local. Luckily they gave it a quick spot.

Thousands no way, I say keep up the immigration raids and then they will be afraid to march for fear of being deported. I love when they get fired for not showing up to work. Serves them right they should not even be here at all. Sneaking into a country and breaking its laws is not a badge of courage it is a cowardly act which millions have committed by coming here illegally.

lsmith1338 wrote:

Thousands no way, I say keep up the immigration raids and then they will be afraid to march for fear of being deported

I was thinking the same thing--they are probably worrying about deportation if they show up in huge numbers and, they should be, if we weren't living in a parallel universe these days.

It really p***es me off that they have the nerve to tell the US "they aren't leaving". GRRRH!!!! We have become so weak in our enforcement of laws that we are a laughing stock!

It gets me peeved as well that they demand rights and to get citizenship when they snuck into our country in the first place. Like I say, lets keep the raids and the deportations going. At least it deters some of them if they are affected.

Demonstrators want Congress to open the door to citizenship to undocumented workers.

They sure aren't asking alot, are they.
What on earth makes people think they can come into the country ILLEGALLY, and then have the audacity to ask/demand CITIZENSHIP FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

olivermyboy wrote:

I was thinking the same thing--they are probably worrying about deportation if they show up in huge numbers and, they should be, if we weren't living in a parallel universe these days

This whole thing is definitely twilight zone material.