More than 8,000 protesters gathered in Union Park Saturday afternoon to protest Arizona's controversial immigration law, and to push for comprehensive immigration reform for the entire country.
The annual May Day rally, one of several held in major cities across the nation, is intended to add urgency to pleas for federal immigration reform. This year's march in Chicago drew more than twice the number of people as last year.
Holding banners that said "Immigration Reform Now!" and "Congress Get to Work", the protesters voiced their opposition to Arizona's new law, which requires authorities to question people about immigration status if there's reason to suspect they¹re in the country illegally.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson was among those rallying the crod, carrying signs calling for President Barack Obama to keep his promise of comprehensive immigration reform. Protesters called for a stop to what they termed unfair deportations, and pushed for a boycott of anything related to the state of Arizona.
They also warned the president, "Legalization or no re-election!"
The rally began at 1 p.m., and the protesters marched at 3 p.m. to Daley Plaza, where a second rally took place at 4 p.m.
