Tens of thousands march in Chicago to support immigrant rights

Tens of thousands of immigrants from all over the Chicago area, many carrying U.S. flags, marched into downtown Friday to show support for immigrant rights. Shouts of "Si se puede" (Yes, it can be done) could be heard throughout city streets as the mostly Latino marchers descended upon the plaza across from the federal courthouse, where they listened to speeches backing pro-immigrant legislation and opposing a measure that would toughen penalties for illegal immigrants. "Raise those American flags!" shouted U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a Democrat. "This is our country, and this is where we will stay."

The rally came as the U.S. Senate considers a bill to stiffen border enforcement and a new report estimates the illegal immigrant population has grown from about 8.4 million in 2000 to nearly 12 million.Some marchers carried signs that read "Keep our Families Together," "No human being is illegal" and "Do not criminalize the American dream." Police estimated the crowd at more than 100,000. Gov. Rod Blagojevich addressed the crowd in Spanish, telling them he is the son of immigrant parents and understands their issues. The Democrat's proclamation that "ustedes no son criminales. Ustedes son trabajadores" ("You are not criminals. You are workers") elicited loud cheers. Mayor Richard Daley told the crowd that "everyone in America is an immigrant."

Estimates on the Number

Early police commanders' unofficial estimates ranged from seventy-five to one hundred thousand people (75-100,000), but CBS reports final police estimates at three hundred thousand (300,000) and organizer estimates at five hundred thousand (500,000).