Hundreds Rally Through the Rain for Immigration Rights

Rockford, IL - The rain failed to stop hundreds of Stateline residents from marching through Downtown Rockford. "I am protesting, I`m showing my pride in my Latino culture," says Leticia Quintano. "We`re out here protesting for May 1st." "We are supporting May 1st," says rally organizer Julio Salgado. "This is a big, big day for us." Monday, May 1st is the international holiday honoring the labor force. Sundays marchers are part of the U.S. labor force and they feel some members of their community are unwelcome by the government and should be given amnesty. "We are hard workers and we pay taxes and we will continue doing that for this country because we love America," says Salgado. They marched on sidewalks starting at 7th and Broadway, down Kishwaukee St. and State St., ending at Davis Park. They marched in preparation for Mondays nationwide boycott by Hispanics of work, school, and spending money. "We have to boycott, and we are going to do it peacefully," says Salgado. "The Latinos are all staying home from work to show the U.S. government what`s going to happen if they all decide to send us back," says Quintano. The protesters are trying to convince politicians to give the approximately 12 million immigrants who are living in the U.S. illegally an avenue towards citizenship. "We`re hoping that they listen to us," says Quintano. "I mean, this is the whole point, we`re here because we want to be here, because we`re trying to make better lives for ourselves. That`s all it is, hopefully they`ll listen." Protests are expected nationwide on Monday as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to participate in a national boycott. Immigrants and their supporters plan to stay home from work and school and not spend any money to show the country their contribution to the nation`s economy. Organizers say they will close down L.A., Chicago, New York, Tuscan, Pheonix, and Fresno.