In what is being described as the “largest political rally in modern Chicago history” what are estimated as upwards of 400,000 demonstrators participated in rallies in support of illegal immigrants here in Chicago today. The rally was large, well-organized, and peaceful.
Illinois politicos were definitely in evidence with Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Rep. Luis Guitierrez, who represents Illinois’s Fourth Congressional District, Chicago’s sole majority-Hispanic district, speaking.
Although some business’s were closed for the day, the city was in no way “shut down” by the day’s activities, indeed, as my wife noted the most noticeable effect was how light the traffic was.
Interestingly both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times elected to “live-blog” the events. The links I’ve provided are to each newspaper’s coverage.
I don’t believe those demonstrating did any harm to their cause by “A Day Without Immigrant” as it was billed. Perhaps they did some good.
Over the next few days I’m going to attempt to put together a series of posts to see if we can’t formulate a consensus opinion on immigration reform either here or on Dean’s World (if I can get Dean to go along with the idea).
More pictures from Chicago here. And here. And here.
Coverage from New York:
A March of Folly
State of the Day
Coverage from Los Angeles:
Boing Boing
California Conservative
PJMedia
Coverage from Washington, DC:
Coverage from Miami:
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“Although some business’s were closed for the day, the city was in no way “shut down” by the day’s activities, indeed, as my wife noted the most noticeable effect was how light the traffic was.”
The drive home was FANTASTIC today. Viva Hulega ! I cut at least 20 minutes off my usual time.
I think today’s rally will ultimately prove to have been a mistake. People react badly to blackmail and today’s rally was just that: We illegals wield economic power and we will use it against you.
With approximately 12 million illegals here, today’s turnout was actually less than I expected.