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By Karen Hawkins
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Mario Leguizamo's sign wasn't the largest at a march for immigrant rights that drew tens of thousands and brought downtown traffic to a virtual standstill for hours. But it certainly was one of the most eye-catching.
Leguizamo's hand-lettered sign reading "Cheney Shoots Friends but We're Criminals?" drew amused double-takes from many who marched past it on their way to a political rally with all the festivity of a good old-fashioned Chicago parade.
Students like Leguizamo and housewives pushing strollers marched side by side with construction workers, mechanics and senior citizens. Some marchers called out the names of their neighborhoods or suburbs, while others took up enthusiastic chants like "Si, se puede (Yes, it can be done)" and "La raza unida nunca sera vencida (A people united will never be defeated).
"
Chicago police estimated that more than 100,000 marchers came from all over the Chicago area, many carrying — or wearing — Mexican and American flags. The protest was spirited, but peaceful, and there were no reported arrests or incidents.
Marchers gathered on the plaza across from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse to listen to speeches voicing support for pro-immigrant legislation and opposition to a measure that would toughen penalties for illegal immigrants.
"Raise those American flags!" shouted U.S. Rep Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago. "This is our country, and this is where we will stay."
The march and rally came as the U.S. Senate struggles with a bill to stiffen border enforcement and a new report estimates the illegal immigrant population has grown from about 8.4 million in 2000 to nearly 12 million.
The legislation, already passed by the U.S. House, is billed as a border protection, anti-terrorism and illegal immigration control act. It includes such measures as enlisting military and local law enforcement help in stopping illegal entrants and authorizes the building of a fence along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Friday's marchers stood shoulder to shoulder at the plaza and its surrounding streets, some carrying signs that read "Keep our Families Together," "No human being is illegal" and "Do not criminalize the American dream."
One group of demonstrators stood on a stack of Spanish-language newspapers to try and get a better view of politicians and other speaker, while others perched atop railings marking two subway entrances. Office workers peered out from the windows of nearby skyscrapers.
Politicians on hand
From a platform, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich addressed the massive crowd in Spanish, telling them that he is the son of immigrant parents and understands the issues that are important to them.
His proclamation that "Ustedes no son criminales. Ustedes son trabajadores (You are not criminals. You are workers)" elicited loud cheers.
Congressman Bobby Rush fired up the crowd with his chants of "Power to the People," while U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin offered a history lesson.
"We should not forget that when the Irish came to Chicago they were hated," Durbin said.
Mayor Richard M. Daley told the crowd that "everyone in America is an immigrant."
Abigail Marquez, 35, said she came to the rally with her husband and teenage son to express her support for Latino issues. The native of Guadalajara, Mexico said she did not expect so many people to participate in the march, organized by dozens of activist groups.
"I had no idea. There are just so many people here," she said in Spanish. "I feel very happy because it shows that we are all united."
Minutemen speaks out
The Illinois Minuteman Project, which is affiliated with a national volunteer civilian border patrol group that aims to stem illegal immigration, held a news conference before the march began to speak out against it.
Rosanna Pulido, the group's state director, said she doesn't want to see Chicago become "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.
"There are 14 million underemployed Americans. Don't they have the right to have a better life and support their families? Let's give them an opportunity because this is their country," she said.
The march began at noon at a park several miles west of the downtown Loop business district. Hours later, marchers still thronged to the area, clogging streets and preventing vehicle traffic from moving. Police said traffic had returned to near-normal levels by early evening.
Abel Nunez, associate director of a social service agency that was one of the many organizations spearheading the event, said the goal was "to demonstrate to people that immigrants are here and we contribute to this country."
"We're not here to make this country less safe, we're here to strengthen it," he added.
One worker said he hadn't seen so many people in the Loop since a ticker-tape parade following the Chicago White Sox's World Series victory last fall.
"In terms of a protest, I've never seen anything this big. I'm impressed by the magnitude," of the crowd, said Tom Bonk.
But one person who wasn't impressed was Pulido, who said the demonstrators essentially were promoting illegal immigration.
"What it means is that 75,000 people marched for lawlessness in Chicago," she said.
- The Associated Press Nathaniel Hernandez contributed to this story.
Seems like this nation needs a new Third political party ASAP...
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Mario Leguizamo's sign wasn't the largest at a march for immigrant rights that drew tens of thousands and brought downtown traffic to a virtual standstill for hours. But it certainly was one of the most eye-catching.
Leguizamo's hand-lettered sign reading "Cheney Shoots Friends but We're Criminals?" drew amused double-takes from many who marched past it on their way to a political rally with all the festivity of a good old-fashioned Chicago parade.
Students like Leguizamo and housewives pushing strollers marched side by side with construction workers, mechanics and senior citizens. Some marchers called out the names of their neighborhoods or suburbs, while others took up enthusiastic chants like "Si, se puede (Yes, it can be done)" and "La raza unida nunca sera vencida (A people united will never be defeated).
"
Chicago police estimated that more than 100,000 marchers came from all over the Chicago area, many carrying — or wearing — Mexican and American flags. The protest was spirited, but peaceful, and there were no reported arrests or incidents.
Marchers gathered on the plaza across from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse to listen to speeches voicing support for pro-immigrant legislation and opposition to a measure that would toughen penalties for illegal immigrants.
"Raise those American flags!" shouted U.S. Rep Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago. "This is our country, and this is where we will stay."
The march and rally came as the U.S. Senate struggles with a bill to stiffen border enforcement and a new report estimates the illegal immigrant population has grown from about 8.4 million in 2000 to nearly 12 million.
The legislation, already passed by the U.S. House, is billed as a border protection, anti-terrorism and illegal immigration control act. It includes such measures as enlisting military and local law enforcement help in stopping illegal entrants and authorizes the building of a fence along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Friday's marchers stood shoulder to shoulder at the plaza and its surrounding streets, some carrying signs that read "Keep our Families Together," "No human being is illegal" and "Do not criminalize the American dream."
One group of demonstrators stood on a stack of Spanish-language newspapers to try and get a better view of politicians and other speaker, while others perched atop railings marking two subway entrances. Office workers peered out from the windows of nearby skyscrapers.
Politicians on hand
From a platform, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich addressed the massive crowd in Spanish, telling them that he is the son of immigrant parents and understands the issues that are important to them.
His proclamation that "Ustedes no son criminales. Ustedes son trabajadores (You are not criminals. You are workers)" elicited loud cheers.
Congressman Bobby Rush fired up the crowd with his chants of "Power to the People," while U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin offered a history lesson.
"We should not forget that when the Irish came to Chicago they were hated," Durbin said.
Mayor Richard M. Daley told the crowd that "everyone in America is an immigrant."
Abigail Marquez, 35, said she came to the rally with her husband and teenage son to express her support for Latino issues. The native of Guadalajara, Mexico said she did not expect so many people to participate in the march, organized by dozens of activist groups.
"I had no idea. There are just so many people here," she said in Spanish. "I feel very happy because it shows that we are all united."
Minutemen speaks out
The Illinois Minuteman Project, which is affiliated with a national volunteer civilian border patrol group that aims to stem illegal immigration, held a news conference before the march began to speak out against it.
Rosanna Pulido, the group's state director, said she doesn't want to see Chicago become "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants.
"There are 14 million underemployed Americans. Don't they have the right to have a better life and support their families? Let's give them an opportunity because this is their country," she said.
The march began at noon at a park several miles west of the downtown Loop business district. Hours later, marchers still thronged to the area, clogging streets and preventing vehicle traffic from moving. Police said traffic had returned to near-normal levels by early evening.
Abel Nunez, associate director of a social service agency that was one of the many organizations spearheading the event, said the goal was "to demonstrate to people that immigrants are here and we contribute to this country."
"We're not here to make this country less safe, we're here to strengthen it," he added.
One worker said he hadn't seen so many people in the Loop since a ticker-tape parade following the Chicago White Sox's World Series victory last fall.
"In terms of a protest, I've never seen anything this big. I'm impressed by the magnitude," of the crowd, said Tom Bonk.
But one person who wasn't impressed was Pulido, who said the demonstrators essentially were promoting illegal immigration.
"What it means is that 75,000 people marched for lawlessness in Chicago," she said.
- The Associated Press Nathaniel Hernandez contributed to this story.
Seems like this nation needs a new Third political party ASAP...
