Chicago’s immigrant community rallies in solidarity ahead of May Day protests

CHICAGO – With just over a month until May Day, immigrant advocates gathered at the Chicago Teachers Union Headquarters on Saturday to share plans for protests, work stoppages and boycotts.

Advocates are calling on the community to show support and solidarity with the city’s immigrant population.

“We are resisting the attacks from the present administration. We are resisting the threats coming from him and the attempts to put fear in the immigrant community,” said Omar Lopez, an organizer with the Immigrant Defense Resistance Council.

May 1 has traditionally been a day for labor rights marches, but the resistance council in defense of immigrants, the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Kabataan Alliance and Arise Chicago are among the groups uniting to protest against the Trump administration’s detention and deportation policies.

On May 1, they plan to march in large numbers starting at Union Park on the Near West Side and proceeding to Grant Park in The Loop.

“Our struggles are interconnected and we must rise and denounce attacks on immigrants and migrants,” Nazek Sankari, co-chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, said.

Advocates point out that despite Chicago being a sanctuary city, the city has become a target for ICE raids. Hardworking immigrants have been under constant threat.

“We’re not criminals. We’re hardworking people. Let’s not forget, diversity is what makes this country great,” Margarita Morelos, director of Casa Aguascalientes Chicago, said.

“We are not leaving. No nos vamos,” Arise Chicago organizer Jorge Mujica added.

With this slogan at the core of their demonstration, advocates said they intend to have a visible stand by demanding respect and inclusion and refusing to be excluded.

“In Chicago, we know how to fight back,” Katherine Zamarron with the CTU said.