'LOVE THIS COUNTRY'
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May 2, 2007

By CHRISTINA CHAPMAN Staff Writer

JOLIET -- Local immigrants protested again this year for immigration reform, but this time the theme was American pride.

About 500 Hispanic people from Joliet gathered Tuesday morning at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 205 E. Jackson St., and traveled to Union Park in Chicago to march to Grant Park to protest the need for change on how illegal immigrants are treated in the United States.

Toribio Barrera of Joliet and Jose Manuel Vargas of Joliet went around to local Hispanic businesses and raised $5,000 in two days to get about 10 buses down to Chicago and for supplies.

Last year, many of these same people marched at the Chicago rally sporting clothes and carrying flags from their native country while demanding equality.

Although their message is the same, this year they chose to show their love for America.

Many carried American flags, waving them in the air and others wore red, white and blue as they cheered in English.

"The feeling is the same. We love this country and that is why we are here," Barrera said. "We promoted (the flags) because we didn't want to send the wrong message. We're American, we have to show the American flag."

Both illegal and documented immigrants came out in support of getting Congress to pass legislation for immigration reform.

"The main reason to march is to get illegals legalized," said Artemio Diaz, a U.S. citizen of Joliet. "We need to get Congress to do something. They keep talking and talking, but do nothing. If we keep marching, maybe they'll do something."

Land of opportunity
Rosa Rodriguez, a U.S. citizen of Joliet, said immigrants are being discriminated against even though they don't have a choice.
"We have a beautiful country in Mexico. We aren't here by choice, we're here because we're in poverty there," she said. "I feel like I have two homes."

Most of the immigrants who traveled with the church said they understood the need to follow the law, but that the government needed to help them to become legal, not deport illegals and separate families.

"It's better here. Here you have more opportunities. We just need a little help to make our dreams a reality," said Jaime Garcia of Joliet.

Christina Chapman can be reached at (815) 729-6172 or by e-mail at cchapman@scn1.com

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