Waukegan police brace for 287(g) demonstrators
July 14, 2007

BY NICHOLAS ALAJAKIS nalajakis@scn1.com

WAUKEGAN -- Police say they are preparing for Monday when thousands of people are expected to descend on the downtown area to protest the city's proposed extension of immigration enforcement.

Waukegan Police Chief William Biang said his department is working with other local agencies to beef up enforcement for an announced rally that will coincide with the City Council's vote to reconsider application for 287(g) authorization.

If the council supports moving forward with 287(g), ultimately Waukegan police could obtain authority to begin deportation proceedings for illegal residents convicted of violent crimes.

That's something that many in the Hispanic community say would be too much power.

Jose Guzman, a leader of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement in Waukegan, said his people cannot stand idly by while Waukegan leaders try to push them around.

Guzman said various activist groups plan to protest against the council's vote beginning at 5 p.m. Monday night. While he isn't certain of exact numbers, Guzman said he expects anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people to show up for a non-violent demonstration.

That many people in one area is too many to take any chances, Biang said.

"We'll be prepared. We'll have a sufficient number of officers to deal with any contingency," Biang said, adding that he cannot go into specifics about the size of the crowd-control force.

Waukegan police will be receiving assistance from Gurnee officers as well as Lake County sheriff's' deputies, though everyone's official capacity is not being revealed, Biang said.

The department is expecting a mixed group of demonstrators, some opposing and some supporting 287 (g), Biang said. When opposing sides on hot-button issues get together, things can get testy, Biang said.

Violence should not be an issue, Guzman said. His group has held other rallies and protests on 287 (g) in recent weeks, and there have been no problems. Protesters simply plan to hold signs and voice their concerns, he said.

"We're good people," Guzman said. "We don't do violence."

The City Council is expected to reconsider the issue under "old business" during its 8 p.m. meeting. The council will not be taking further public comment on the issue, but it expects a full house, Mayor Richard Hyde said.

Hyde said he expects Monday's gathering to be the biggest protest in the city's recent history.

In preparation for large crowds, both Waukegan and Lake County employees will be going home around 4 p.m. Monday.

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If the council supports moving forward with 287(g), ultimately Waukegan police could obtain authority to begin deportation proceedings for illegal residents convicted of violent crimes.

That's something that many in the Hispanic community say would be too much power.
It is incredible that anyone, on either side of the issue, could think deporting criminals is a bad thing.