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irishamericannews.com


Hundreds of Irish supporters of the Chicago Celts for Immigration reform joined an estimated 250,000 marchers today in Chicago calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The Chicago Celts came well prepared for the day with thousands of T shirts, placards, flags and badges calling for support of the Kennedy McCain Bill. The Celts placards read, "We don't want handouts we work for a living", and were even carried with pride by many of the Hispanic protesters.

The march and rally was organized by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights and was attended by the many ethnic groups that make up the Chicago immigrant population. Irish, Poles, Mexicans and Hispanics of all hues were there in high spirits to denounce the Senenbrenner Bill and support the Kennedy -McCain initiative.

Billy Lawless, Chairman of Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and Fr. Leonard of Chicago Irish immigrant Support addressed the huge crowd and impressed upon them the need for urgent action to counter anti-immigrant forces. Immigrant groups are happy to see another face to the debate on immigration reform and the Irish in Chicago are certainly not afraid fo showing theirs.

The day has been a mammoth success and shows what can be accomplished when many diverse groups work together for a common cause. The nation cannot be under any illusions as to the direction of the debate in Chicago after today's rally and last week's resolution passed by the City Council backing Kennedy-McCain.



Chicago Council unanimously support Kennedy McCain
Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform achieve their goal

Monday February 27th saw the City of Chicago?s Finance and Human Relations sub-committee unanimously pass a resolution calling for comprehensive immigration reform. The sub-committee fully endorsed the Kennedy-McCain Initiative that offers a path to earned legalization and denounced the anti-immigrant Sensenbrenner Bill. Billy Lawless of Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform proposed the motion and addressed the sub-committee before the vote, highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

He was joined in support by the Rev. Michael Leonard and Cyril Regan of Chicago Irish Immigrant Support. Also present was Charles Sheehan Consul General of Ireland. The Irish voice on immigration reform has been gathering momentum over the last few weeks culminating in overt support from the Irish government for the Kennedy-McCain initiative.

Alderman Pat O?Connor then brought the motion before the City Council where he was co-sponsored by Aldermen Burke, Cardenas, and Ocasio. The motion backing the Kennedy-McCain initiative and denouncing the Sensenbrenner Bill was passed unanimously on Wednesday March 1st by a vote of 48-0. Kennedy-Mc Cain calls for earned legalization for the undocumented while at the same time strengthening the borders. It is a comprehensive and pragmatic Bill aimed at fixing the broken immigration system. Chicago City Council should be congratulated for taking an historic decision and for showing true leadership on this issue in a climate where prejudice and unfounded fears are being exploited.