May Day marches for immigration reform were planned before the law was passed. ABC7's Theresa Gutierrez examined preparations for the march in Chicago.
Volunteers with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights made signs in anticipation for the May Day Mobilization March Saturday. They will rally about the national immigration debate, rising deportations and the new enforcement policies in Arizona. The rally will take place on Saturday from Union Park on West Washington to Daley Plaza
"President Obama pledged that he would address immigration reform in his first year. We're still waiting. It's year two of his administration. We need to see action," said Fred Taso, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
The coalition volunteers say the new Arizona law signed by the governor promotes racial profiling.
"We have been waiting too long for reform to happen. What just happened in Arizona is the clearest evidence that I can think of that the federal government really needs to make some changes," said Deana Rutherford, volunteer.
Organizers are expecting at least 10,000 to show up at Union Park Saturday at 1 p.m. for a rally, and then 3 p.m. to kick off the march, which will end at Daley Plaza with a program at 4 p.m.
"In a day, today, we have 25 million Americans unemployed. It's the wrong day to have a march. It's the wrong day to ask for amnesty. It's the wrong day to be protesting if you're here illegally," said Rosanna Pulido, Illinois Minuteman Project.
The United Front for Immigrants along with other organizations are calling for everyone to march and to join the national boycott against Arizona in hopes of blocking the tough new law on illegal immigration.
"The Arizona law is a model that can eventually become national law. This is a concern that we have," said Carlos Perez, activist.
"The Arizona bill and the five states now that want to follow show Americans are outraged, and they are demanding that their politicians do something," said Pulido.
This will be the fifth year for the May Day immigrant rights march. Organizers are expecting thousands to attend.
