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Immigration Rally DrawsThousands
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CHICAGO (AP) -- Tens of thousands of immigrants from throughout the Chicago area, many carrying U.S. flags, marched into downtown Chicago on Friday in a show of support for immigrant rights.
Shouts of ``Si se puede'' (Yes, it can be done) could be heard throughout city streets as marchers descended upon the plaza across from the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, where they listened 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-Ill. ``This is our country, and this is where we will stay.''
The peaceful marchers stood shoulder-to-shoulder at the plaza. Some carried signs that read ``Keep our Families Together,'' ``No human being is illegal'' and ``Do not criminalize the American dream.''
Abigail Marquez, 35, said she came to the rally with her husband and teenage son to express her support for Latino issues.
Marquez, a 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.''
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.
Hours later, marchers still thronged streets in the city's downtown business district, sometimes clogging streets and preventing vehicle traffic from moving.
The 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 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. Police estimated that more than 75,000 people marched into downtown, sporadically shutting down traffic in the Loop and many surrounding streets.
Students 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; communities across northern Illinois were represented.
One worker said he hadn't seen that many people in the Loop since a ticker-tape parade was held for the Chicago White Sox after they won the 2005 World Series.
``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 that the demonstrators were essentially promoting illegal immigration.
``What it means is that 75,000 people marched for lawlessness in Chicago,'' she said.
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Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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