Immigration march set for Tuesday

May 1, 2007 (WLS) -- Chicago is preparing for what could be a massive immigration reform march set for Tuesday. Thousands are expected to take to the streets to protest recent raids including one last week in Chicago's Little Village community. The march will step off from two different locations in the city.

On Monday afternoon police announced that the rally at the end of the march has been moved from Daley Plaza to Grant Park because such a large crowd is expected.

"We expect 100,000 people. It will be the third largest demonstration in Chicago. I think last week's raid by immigration at the Mega mall in Little Village ignited people," said march organizer Jorge Mujica.

Organizers of the immigration march and rally say last year's marches have been beneficial in gaining support for their cause. They say the marches have been a great educational tool. "Last year, before we marched 56-percent of the American public was for the deportation of undocumented. As of last week 78-percent of people are in favor of legalization for undocumented," Mijica said.

A highlight of the march will be a rally at Grant Park's Hutchinson Field.

"There will be rolling street closures and we strongly urge the public to use public transportation," said Deputy Chicago Police Supt. Charles Williams.

"We are prepared for the size that comes out. We have enough volunteers. We are working on making sure we have the facilities for that size crowd with the unions and other people and the businesses providing water. We are prepared for anything," said community activist Emma Lozano.

"We're sorry it's going to be a little bit inconvenient being downtown tomorrow at 5 PM," Jorge Mujica said.

Police, fire, and transportation officials say they have resources on hand to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for Tuesday's march.

I can assure you we have enough officers to ensure that we have a safe march.

26th Street is second only to North Michigan Ave. in terms of revenue for the state. They bill over a billion dollars in gross sales each year. Tomorrow they are asking businesses on 26th Street to close and participate in the march.

About 50-percent of the businesses will close tomorrow and we're asking them to be part of this movement," said Salvador Pedroza of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.

Cook County commissioner Roberto Maldonado is introducing legislation to make Cook County a fair and equal county for illegal immigrants.

"The Cook County Sheriff's office will be prohibited from acting as federal agents or asking about a person's immigrant status unless criminal activity is involved," said Commissioner Roberto Maldonado.

Marchers say they will continue to use all means to advance their cause.

There will be 2 starting points for Tuesday's march.

One group will gather at Adalberto United Methodist Church in the Humboldt Park community.

The other will meet at Benito Juarez High School in the Pilsen neighborhood.

At 12:30 pm those groups will head toward Union Park on the west side where whey will meet about 1:30 pm.

That's when the main march heads east on Washington toward Grant Park.

A rally will be held at 3 o'clock at Hutchinson Field in the park which is south of Buckingham fountain.

Stay with ABC7 for complete coverage of the rally and how it affects traffic on our news throughout the day Tuesday -- and online at www.abc7chicago.com.

Son of deportee: Punishment 'too cruel'

Maria Garcia's 14-year-old son Richard was forced to become the man of the family three years ago when his father, Domenico, was arrested by immigration officers and deported. He and his mother are US citizens, but Domenico was in the country illegally.

"My father might have overstayed a piece of paper, visa, but a punishment like that, it's too cruel. To separate a family so long, it's too cruel," said Richard Cagnetta, son.

"I want my family back together. That would be the best medicine for me," said Maria Garcia, wife.

Immigration rights activists say the Garcia family is just one of thousands of families being torn apart by current immigration laws. That is why they are involved in planning the march and rally set for Tuesday.

Monday night was spent making signs and final plans for what they expect will be a rally of more than 100,000 people, including many students like Ryan Rivera.

"People should come out and stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves," said Rivera.

Organizers expect a smaller march than the initial, so-called May Day rally last year that drew nearly half a million protestors. Nevertheless, they say, it will be a large but peaceful crowd trying to send a message to Congress about immigration reform.

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