100,000 people rally over controversial immigration bill

ABC7 News ^ | 3-10-06 | ABC

[JustPiper]

Chicago police say as many as 100,000 protestors are gathering outside the Chicago Federal Center to voice their concerns about a house bill that would tighten immigration laws. The massive demonstration has blocked many streets in the Loop.

The border security bill would make it illegal to assist any undocumented immigrant. That measure is drawing the attention of numerous groups and lawmakers on both sides of the issue.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Chicago Federal Center to protest the house bill 4437. They believe the bill discriminates against undocumented residents and those who try to help them and it robs them of a chance at the American dream.

[Brad’s Gramma]

We like our illegals here.

I'm late to the game....was that sarcasm or do you honestly believe that?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Bumping your post to find later...thanks, JP..

[JustPiper]

Oh geeze, so many old friends today but one like you who touched my very heart!
~Hugs

[Brad’s Gramma]

((Hugs)) backatcha, JP...big time.

I think I'm gonna cruise on over to TM and look around. It's UGLY on the forum tonight!!!

[justshutupandtakeit]

Another thread now has the numbers at 2-500,000. Apparently you can make up your own numbers. My guess is 35,000 with 8,000 illegals. What is the prize? All the guacmole I can eat?

[justshutupandtakeit]

I think you've got it.

This is why immigration authorities get no cooperation. Latino omerta.

[Chgogal]

Tell me Jorge, Mexico has been blessed with the natural resources similar to that of the US. (Excellent farmland, substantial mineral wealth, excellent fishing waters, great weather, good fresh water sources, etc.)

1) Why the heck has Mexico failed in giving its citizens opportunity and hope and why do you support enabling Mexico to continue its political and economical abuse of its citizens?

2) What would Mexico do if 20 million Americans ran the border and demanded free hospital care, education and the like?

3) Why does the US have to be Mexico’s political and economical safety valve?

4) Mexico DOES NOT provide illegal immigrants the same benefits Mexico demands from the US government, do you think SUCKER is stamped on each of our American foreheads?

I'm pro LEGAL immigration. It took years for my parents to arrive in this country LEGALLY! They had to save thousands of dollars and promise that they would not be a burden to the American citizenry. If immigrants come here legally, I have no problem. I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN CRIMINALS (ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS) DEMAND THAT I HAVE TO ACCEPT THEIR BREAKING THE LAW and I find fellow Americans who enable CRIMINAL activity reprehensible.

[Godebert]

"But give a break to those already here."

ARREST AND DEPORT THEM!

[little jeremiah]

A change that we the people have not voted on. And if we did you can bet your bottom dollar we would not vote "yes". There are more important things than money. There are more important things than economic charts and graphs, and multinational corporations that could give a **** about where we live and what our lives are like.

[starbase]

My guess is 35,000 with 8,000 illegals.

I totally agree. I don't know any downtown spot that would accommodate 100,000 and I haven't seen pictures to indicate that many either. Sounds like major ca ca.

I also know that Numbers USA supporters have sent 75,000 faxes to congress in the last three days, and that's par for the course. So unless these people can show a true rally of 100,000, and unless they can do it in at least 10 other cities, then I think this will just remain an inflated stunt, outweighed by all our other work going on towards immigration enforcement. (PS the Mexican flags probably hurt their argument immeasurably)

[Outland]

[formerly liberal]

The only people I noticed were legal and illegal Mexicans carrying huge flags, teenage college kids and a lot of 20 somethings who call themselves "activists". Having worked in downtown Chicago over the past 26 years, the only thing that I noticed on the way home, were Mexican flags, the police presence and the fact that traffic was very screwed up for a Friday afternoon. At that time of day, people just want to go home. I'm sure that all this signified to the rest of the commuters was a major nuisance. They (myself included) didn't feel the urge to stop and listen to this rally. There may have been about 30,000, but definitely not 100,000.

Since most people can't drive in downtown Chicago, a drop of rain will tie up traffic immensely. This played right into the hands of the media. Thus they used the traffic situation to exaggerate the significance of the rally on the news.

[Fruitbat]

While we might have disagreed a little on the ports debate, I am glad to see we are in agreement on this issue. :-)

Indeed! I'm sure we're in agreement on most other things. The ports issue was divisive in the conservative base. I wasn't against it necessarily, just wanted more info, and still do, not just on the issue insofar as DPW goes, but the other ports and "operators" as well. I'd like to know what their responsibilities are. Until such a time, I don't think that any president is going to get support for anyone but Americans running them. Since that info hasn't as of yet been put up, well...

So I don't think that we, or the antis and pros were as far apart as many think, other than the Dims/Libs who were/are only playing politics, of course. They're just like a golf trap to be avoided and something that people routinely ignore b/c they "know the deal." LOL

Thanks!

[JustPiper]

Could it be because at the time you left work that they had cleared the protest pretty much?

[JustPiper]

Thus why I let this alone because of disruptors

[JustPiper]

BTTT!

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"Remember folks, this is a southwest border issue."

And California. Don't forget that this is only a California problem.

Michael Frazier

[griffin]

agreed most strongly.

Just look at the Netherlands latest election results...

[griffin]

Afore mentioned Netherlands election story....preview to future US elections??

(sarc) I liked the bit about the cross-of-offense coming down best donchaknow. (/sarc)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1593608/posts

[RFT1]

Yes you are a bad "person" because you want to reward law breakers. Should we reward drug dealers for selling drugs that the pharmacies dont want to sell as well? To be blunt, your kind of thinking is not just wrong, but it is dangerous to the future of this country. You want to see the political future of the US if you wabt to continue this nonsense, than look at New York and California.