Milwaukee’s Immigration March Breaks Record

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – On Tuesday, thousands of people supporting immigration reform marched through city streets in an effort to gain a path to citizenship and legal work permits for relatives and friends. They chanted “Sí Se Puede” (Yes we can) along the route and called for immigrant rights and for U.S. ICE to stop raids, which results in the separation of families.

March organizers from Voces de la Frontera have estimated that 60,000 to 80,000 participants marched in this year’s immigration rally. The march stretched for more than a mile and a half, according to organizers. They estimated that the march cost at least $26,000, which included $8,000 to charter buses, $5,000 for march permits and at least $1,000 for air fair, lodging and a speaking stipend for Ricardo Chavez.

If just one in five of those marching in Milwaukee missed a workday, this would amount to $1.3 million in lost wages and would result in a massive impact on production and services, according to Economics Professor Michael Rosen from the Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Reports of Homeland Security and U.S. ICE activity on W. Wisconsin Ave. began to circulate an hour before the march began. Some demonstrators also reported that federal agents were taking photos of the participants.

When contacted, U.S. Attorney Steven Biskupic says that he was unaware of any federal involvement in monitoring the march and since the march was on city streets and involves city permits, jurisdiction would be with the City of Milwaukee, not federal authorities. No incidents between the demonstrators and federal and local authorities were reported.

“This massive turn-out on a work-day was a clear statement to Congress and the President that the immigrant community will not be intimidated and driven back into the shadows. It is also a clear sign that momentum continues to grow for fair legalization this year,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera.

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