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Immigrant rights protesters rallied around a call to “come out of the shadows” on March 10 in Chicago and many other cities. The day of action called for legalization now.
Over 1,000 attended an energetic march and rally in Chicago. At the rally, eight undocumented immigrant youth “came out” by declaring their immigration status to the assembly and in front of the press. The organizers gave credit to the LGBT movement for the tactic.
The demonstration also made connections to the current struggle to defend education. Popular chants were: “Education is a right!” and “Books not borders!”
In a failed attempt to intimidate the protesters, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents hovered around the protest.
At a time when there is a nationwide movement for immigrant rights and equality, the Obama administration has only increased government raids and repression against immigrants.
One protester, Juan, a 20-year-old undocumented immigrant restaurant worker and activist with the Immigrant Youth Justice League and the ANSWER Coalition, said: “Today the government, from Springfield to Washington, is being confronted with the justness of our demands and the bravery of our actions. We will not be silent. We will not back down until we win legalization.”
