Thousands turn out for immigration march in Milwaukee
(Published Wednesday, May 2, 2007 10:28:23 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Dinesh Ramde Associated Press
MILWAUKEE - The crowd stretched more than a mile as thousands of chanting immigration-rights supporters marched through downtown streets Tuesday, culminating in a rally where the brother of Cesar Chavez urged persistence in the struggle for immigrant rights.
Decades after his brother organized farm workers in the 1960s to demand better working conditions in the agriculture industry, Ricardo Chavez said the fight for migrant equality is still going on.
"People are still going through the same abuses now. There is still a need for farm workers to organize," Chavez, 77, told the crowd gathered at a park at the Lake Michigan shore. Cesar Chavez died in 1993.
Immigrants and their allies nationwide stayed away from work, school and stores to show how much Americans benefit from their presence. Wisconsin events included rallies at Racine and at the state Capitol in Madison.
Amid a sea of U.S. flags and an occasional Mexican flag, the Milwaukee marchers danced and sang, with many carrying signs calling for "justice and dignity for all immigrants" and proclaiming "no human being is illegal."
Some participants were still angry over an August 2006 incident in which federal officials raided Star Packaging in Whitewater.
Among the 25 undocumented workers arrested was Maria de Luz Huitron, 62, who says she was detained in jail for two days without food, water and clothing. The diabetic grandmother was released after her church raised enough money to post her bond.
Huitron told the crowd that immigrants aren't looking for a handout.
"We just come here to work and offer our services, not receive services," she said.
Al Petrie, who owns the packaging firm, was also arrested in the raid although he insists he complied with every federal regulation demanding proof of worker eligibility.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, president of the groups Voces de la Frontera that organized the rally, said Petrie faces bankruptcy after his work force dwindled to about 10 workers from about 100.
State Rep. Pedro Colon, D-Milwaukee, said the turnout left him optimistic even though similar marches last year failed to produce pro-immigration legislation at the state or federal level. New lawmakers are more willing to work in favor of immigration, he said.
"In the last election every anti-immigration candidate lost across the board," Colon said. "Now we have lawmakers who will work with the people."
Maria Torres, 45, of Milwaukee, said she had been concerned she would attract the attention of immigration officials if she joined the noon march, but decided to do it anyway. The fabric store worker wouldn't say whether she came to the U.S. legally from Mexico.
"You have to support the people, the cause," said Torres, alongside her 14-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. "That's the only way we'll overcome."
Fortuanato Godoy, 34, of Milwaukee, a packaging firm worker, brought his two daughters and a niece.
"Most of us came (to America) for better futures for our kids," the Mexican immigrant said. "We just want the government to let us work and help our families."
Many immigrants said their employers supported their participation in Tuesday's march.
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association urged its 7,000 members to support workers who wanted time off to attend the rally or otherwise recognize the cause, president Ed Lump said.
"We're not encouraging a boycott or that people walk off the job," Lump cautioned. "We're encouraging employees to work with their employers to find meaningful ways to show their support."
Restaurant worker Rocio Castro, 33, of Milwaukee, a Mexican immigrant, said she hoped the demonstration would encourage lawmakers to "just let us live legally here."
"I'm hoping the government will give us that, our IDs and driver's licenses," said Castro, who would not say what her immigration status was.
As of April 1, applicants for a Wisconsin driver's license had to show they were in the country legally.
Another Mexican restaurant worker said most immigrants hope for better lives for their children.
"There are so many more opportunities for kids to study here," said Miguel Hernandez, 32, of Waukesha. "Education is better here than in a lot of other places."
Immigrants' success improves conditions for everyone, he added. "If kids become doctors and engineers, open more businesses, that makes the whole U.S. better."
Police would not give an estimate of the crowd size.
