In Milwaukee, 65,000 people hit the streets for immigration reform today!
After a night of torrential downpours and tornado warnings, the sun rose this morning to clear skies and warm temperatures. At about 10:30am this morning VOCES found out about the City resolution (read more below) boycotting Arizona and other localities that enact legislation similar to SB 1070.
The crowd began to grow at 11:00 AM as families and individuals, young and old from all walks of life grabbed an ice cream or snacks from the cart vendors and awaited the start. Slowly the cheers, chants and noisemakers began to ring out and at noon sharp over 65,000 people made their way down 5th street.
A massive left turn onto one of Milwaukee’s widest streets took the marchers down National Boulevard with chants of Si Se Puede! echoing off the buildings. From the freeway overpass it appeared the crowd stretched forever.
The 2 mile route was lined with families and supporters gathered on their lawns to encourage the marchers and enjoy the sun. The massive crowd arrived in Mitchell Park and relaxed at tables and on blankets under trees with home made picnics and listened to the program. When the speeches ended, the music and dancing began.
As expected, turnout was huge. Fueled by the recent events in Arizona, people turned out to fight back.
The march left 1027 S. 5th Street in Milwaukee, at 12pm and proceeded west on National Ave. to Mitchell Park, where organizers held a rally and festival with food and live music. Sounds like quite a fiesta!
This morning, local group Voces de la Frontera announced the introduction of a Resolution supporting the Arizona boycott and swift passage of comprehensive immigration reform.
This Resolution is the fruit of a partnership with 12th District Alderman Jim Witkowiak, who will introduce the Resolution on Monday for immediate action Tuesday. The Resolution calls for the City of Milwaukee to enact an economic boycott of Arizona-based companies, as well as all meetings and conferences that take place in the state until S.B. 1070 is repealed.
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera,
“The recent events in Arizona have galvanized people all over America to respond as they did in 2006 when Wisconsin’s own Congressman Sensenbrenner proposed the same kind of draconian measures that are an affront to basic American democratic values. Indeed, the Arizona law goes even further by institutionalizing racial profiling.”
Will be adding pictures and updates as they come in, so stay tuned.
Oh, and follow @voces_milwaukee for live tweets from the event!
Categories: Civil Disobedience, Uncategorized, Wisconsin
