(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With the temperature in single digits, and Donald Trump's inauguration underway, Muhammed Sankari with the Arab American Action Network bid the big crowd in Federal Plaza a good morning.
Someone shouted back, "What's so good about it?"
Sankari replied, "We're going to make it good."
"Our movement is going to mark the beginning of our fight against this incoming racist fascist regime."
Fayani Aboma Mijana, with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, amplified the point.
"This isn't just about Trump as an individual, but we recognize that Trump is a symptom of a system in decay, and we refuse to go down with it. We're going to fight against it."
The Rally was led by the Arab American Action league, which said some 80 community organizations are involved.
WBBM Newsradio/Craig Dellimore
Danae Kovac, director of the Pan-Asian advocacy group the Hana Center, was among the speakers in frigid Federal Plaza.
"We fought against Trump's first administration, and we are here to fight back now. A big part of our fight is making sure that our immigrant communities know our rights and are equipped to exercise those rights in every situation wherever we are."
She debuted a ''Know Your Rights for Immigrants'' app that's available. Dr. Diane Castro with the Chicago Teachers Union says they are ready to fight for those rights:
"They want us to be scared and powerless, but this is where we feel the resonance of 1969 and the origin of the Rainbow Coalition and the history that should guide us forward. We stand together in this city."
After several speakers were heard, the groups rallied and organized a march to Trump Tower.
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