National day of immigration protests draw more than 100 to Carbondale in support of immigrationJordan WilsonDaily Egyptian
More than 100 people protested proposed tougher immigration laws near the Carbondale town square pavilion Monday, one of the many protests that occurred across the nation.
The scene in Carbondale reflected the nationwide effort - called Un Dia Sin Inmigrantes - where immigrants and others were encouraged to boycott school, work and purchasing products and services in order to show the impact immigrants have on the American economy. In Chicago, a reported 400,000 people protested the legislation.
The proposed legislation, HR 4437, would deem anyone a felon who housed, employed or assisted an undocumented immigrant and would also intensify existing regulations against immigrants.
Many businesses nationwide were forced to shut down operations. Several Mexican eateries in Carbondale, including El Bajio, La Bamba and Don Taco, closed or had limited hours Monday in order to partake in the demonstration.
Juan Herrera, a sophomore at Carbondale Community High School and organizer of the protest, said he was pleased with the large turnout but knows a couple hundred people may not be enough.
"I'm proud there's so many people helping us out," Herrera said. "The hardest part is getting the government to hear us."
A sea of mainly American flags greeted cars traveling along Main Street. More than 100 people lined the sidewalks, frequently bursting out in chants such as "Yes we can" and "No bad Laws." Signs of 'Guilty of the crime of working' and 'Will work for citizenship' depicted their feelings toward the proposed legislation.
After a peaceful march through town past the office of U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, (D-Belleville) and the Carbondale Civic Center, the group moved inside the pavilion.
There, they shouted words of encouragement amongst themselves. Alicia Chavira, the spokesperson for the event organizing Latino and Immigrant Coalition of Southern Illinois, told the crowd that Latinos should be proud of their heritage.
"We can achieve high goals with a grain of opportunity," she said.
Crisol Barron, a sophomore from Chicago studying early childhood education, said the protest was very important event to her.
She said she couldn't turn her back on other family members who did not have citizenship and had to continue to fight for what her parents fought for - equality.
"That's the only reason I'm able to be a student here, because of what my parents did," Barron said.
Not all gathered at the protest supported immigration.
Across the street, Jim Reeves, a 27-year-old Carbondale resident, was the lone person supporting restrictions on immigration. He held a sign reading, 'Illegal aliens drain our social resources.'
Reeves said he opposes immigration from all parts of the country, including Canada. He said just as many people honked in support of his "one-wolf" protest as they did for the protestors.
"If I'm an employer, I can hire them for a heck of a lot cheaper," Reeves said. "I'm not saying they should all get out. But if they want to come here, they should have to do it legally to level the playing field.'
Herrera said one naysayer didn't take away from the effectiveness of the protest.
"We're 200. He's one," Herrera said. "It doesn't matter."
