Chicago Protest Draws Diverse Support

The march through the Loop and rally at Grant Park are designed to show both support for immigration reform and opposition to legislation that would criminalize the actions of an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants.

Collaboration among groups representing the city's Arab, Asian, Black, eastern European and Hispanic communities, along with labor groups and religious leaders, has resulted in a demonstration that could bring out as many as half a million people, organizers say.

"Stand in solidarity with people of all races and nationalities because immigration legislation does not just affect one group; it affects everyone!" Sadiya Ahmed with the Council on American-Islamic Relations wrote in an "action alert" sent out last week via e-mail.

Recognizing that an increasing number of African Americans are not supporting the battle cry of illegal immigrants, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and others have worked to broaden the debate.

“Haitians must get the same protection that Cubans get, and Dominicans and Africans,” he told the Defender. “This is not just a Mexican drive. It affects all our people.”

The seeds for Monday's rally were planted after a demonstration at Chicago's federal plaza on March 10 unexpectedly drew more than 100,000 people, catching many by surprise. Similar rallies have been held in cities across the country since then, casting a national spotlight on the debate over immigration reform.

In Chicago, representatives from roughly 200 area organizations formed the Committee for the March Tenth Movement, the umbrella group that planned Monday's rally. Unlike other immigrant rights groups in other cities, organizers stress they are not calling for a work stoppage and student boycott.

The initial proposal to rally at the city's federal plaza was shelved when Chicago officials determined that Grant Park's grassy fields would be better suited to handle the crowd.

"Normally, at a second event you would expect less people to turn out, but this time the exact opposite is happening," said Gabriel Gonzalez, director of organizing for the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "People are realizing it's now or never."

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