(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Hundreds of people representing unions, workers’ rights groups, elected officials and social services agencies took part in a May Day rally in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood Wednesday. They demanded that immigrants be given work permits.
The gathering took place on a public plaza just off 18th Street, the main road in Pilsen.
“There is no struggle for immigrants without the struggle for workers' rights. There is no struggle for workers' rights without the struggle for immigrants,” Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd) said.
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) said it's a shame and an embarrassment to the country that immigrants have to beg for the right to work.
“It makes your government work better. It adds more tax base. It grows everyone together. It unites what we say this grand experiment is,” Vasquez said.
“President Biden, do the right thing now, there's no need to half-step. Make sure this country is the same country that you and your immigrant parents – and your immigrant parents – came to try to create. Make sure that these people have the same opportunity to do so, and we will be a better country together.”
Those who gathered urged the Biden administration to authorize a parole and work authorization program for undocumented immigrant workers living in the state.
“It should be the dream country. And what is this? This is not a dream,” one leader with a workers’ rights organization said.
“This is not, this is a nightmare.”
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