May Day March Takes On Immigration Reform, Arizona Law
By Staff in News on May 3, 2010 4:00PM
Thousands gathered on Saturday afternoon for the annual May Day March, usually a labor-related Workers Day march, but this year became a rally that supported immigration reform and opposed the recent immigration law enacted in Arizona. The rally went from Union Park to Daley Plaza and was attended by 8,000 people according to police estimates, contradicting organizer claims that 20,000 attended. While much smaller, the rally called to mind a similar march in 2006 that brought nearly a half-million people to downtown Chicago. Echoing a theme seen in other protests and rallies held in the area last week, much of the ire was focused on Arizona SB 1070 with protesters holding signs saying, "Shame on Arizona," and "Illinois is NOT Arizona." Similar rallies were held across the nation with the largest rally happening in Los Angeles where 50,000 people gathered.