Dozens of immigration activists, elected officials, faith and labor leaders were arrested Wednesday evening for blocking Congress Parkway—the street outside an immigration building downtown Chicago.
The group resorted to this act of civil disobedience out of frustration over the lack of progress in passing immigration reform, organizers said. They demanded that House Republicans vote for immigration reform and that President Barack Obama put an end to deportations.
At the end of this act of civil disobedience, 142 people, including five Chicago aldermen and two county commissioners, were arrested.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
A child whose mother is facing deportation holds a signs of President Barack Obama, stating that 2 million deported families is too many.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
A woman named Karina, who lives in Elgin, Ill., talks about how she came to the United States when she was 14 years old and has been here for 18 years. She is now fa
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
A woman in the crowd recites chants along with others attending the rally.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
Father Brendan Curran of St. Pius Church, address the crowd. “I want to remind you that this is a human toll,” he said. “The reason why we stand in courage is [that] we remember families are divided now and here.”
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
Tuyet Le of Advancing Justice Chicago addresses the crowd. “I am here to give voice to the 2 million Asian-Americans who want to be reunited with their families but are trapped in visa back laws, some waiting for 23 years,” she said.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
A man in the crowd carries a sign that reads “Do not separate our families.”
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
Protesters and police officers line the streets near the intersection of Congress Parkway and Clark Street.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
Lawrence Benito of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights addresses the crowd.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
A sign reads, “2 million too many—stop the deportations now!”
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
The intersection of Congress Parkway and Clark Street was shut down because of the rally.
Photo by Sophia Nahli Allison
Cars honked their horns as they drove by to show their support.