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What do you think of the immigrations rally in Chicago? |
Ethnic groups rally for immigrant rights By Oscar Avila and Antonio Olivo Tribune staff reporters Published March 10, 2006, 3:25 PM CST A mass of flag-waving humanity jammed downtown Chicago this afternoon as tens of thousands of protesters rallied at Federal Plaza to demand more humane immigration laws. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Mayor Richard Daley and other political figures crowded onto the stage to speak to the crowd. Noting Chicago was built by new arrivals to this country who simply wanted a share of the American Dream, Daley said, "We are not going to make criminals out of (immigrants). That is not what America has ever stood for." U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a Hispanic, drew cheers as he recognized Irish, Polish, Chinese and African-American rally participants. "I have never been prouder to march, to show my commitment to a cause, than I have been today," Gutierrez said. "We have brought together the true fabric of what Chicago is, of what our country is." Even as the rally began, about 2 p.m., people continued streaming into the Loop, the line of march extending as far west as the United Center. Streets in the immediate vicinity of Federal Plaza, 230 S. Dearborn St., were closed for the rally as a crowd estimated by Chicago police as 75,000 to 100,000 in size spilled off the sidewalks. And as the afternoon rush hour approached, police issued an alert asking the public to avoid not just the federal building complex, but the area bounded by Madison Street on the north, Roosevelt Road on the south, Ashland Avenue on the west and all points "all the way east." Earlier, businesses, restaurants and schools across the region emptied out, and busloads of immigrants from Mexico, Poland and Ireland converged on the protest's assembly point in Union Park, at Ashland Avenue and Washington Boulevard on the city's West Side. At the park, the participants鈥攔epresentatives of many ethnic groups in addition to the Hispanic community, the event's main organizer鈥攊mmediately broke into mini-rallies, some speakers grabbing megaphones and rallying participants from baseball bleachers. The protesters stepped off shortly after noon for a two-mile march to Federal Plaza. They moved amid a sea of flags, including those for Guatemala, Ecuador, Ireland and especially Mexico. But U.S. flags were the most numerous. Marchers such as Jose Soberanis tried to make the case that the cause of illegal immigrants fits with basic American values. Soberanis, 21, led a group waving U.S. flags and a drawing of Martin Luther King that he created with his 11-year-old sister, Cecilia. "As the saying goes, 'I have a dream.' Well, we have dreams, too," Soberanis said. "African-Americans were looking for social acceptance. That is what we want, too." Whole shifts of workers left their jobs to underscore the importance of immigrant workers. One server in a Downers Grove Italian restaurant came in his tie and apron, draped with a U.S. flag. A Chicago factory worker, Amada Ochoa, 44, said she felt a swell of pride when about 150 employees walked out the doors around noon at their West Side plating company. "We felt a feeling of unity," she said. "It shows our work is important." I would call the "march" a BIG missed opportunity for INS to finally do its JOB. I think anyone wanting to live and work in the U.S. should become a citizen, learn the language, and be a part of our culture. You know what I'm not sure what to think. I was watching the news this morning and i can understand where they are coming from but there are some things that's bother me!! The lack of jobs in Chicago is so ridiculous, i just don't think that theres enough for everyone,I work with customers everyday and i cant stand when they come here and are here for months years and they cant even speak ENGLISH that upsets me!!!!! If they want to be here so bad THEN RESPECT US AND LEARN OUR LANGUAGE!!! I could go on and on lol |
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