Amy Mujtaba

"Are we going to be an America of exclusion, or an America of inclusion?" The first of a never-ending army of speakers ends his speech with this rhetorical challenge, directed more at Washington than at the mostly Mexican immigrants gathered in Federal Plaza to protest H.R. 4437, a House-approved bill aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement. Young and old alike wave American flags and engage in spontaneous chants of "Si se puede!" and the more pointed "Bush! Escucha! Estamos en la lucha!"

"Todos somos Americanos?"

"Si!"

"Senores! Viva America!"

"Viva!"

Among the sea of signs reading things like "H.R. 4437 is Anti-Immigration and Anti-American," the world's smallest Chihuahua, its tiny body curled like a shivering black comma around the hands of its human counterpart, is offered up like an unsuspecting mascot. The crowd swells exponentially as thousands of marchers arrive, swirling in and around the red feet of Calder's "Flamingo." Irish, Polish and Chinese flags join those of Mexico and the United States.

"I have never been prouder to march, to show my commitment to a cause, than I have been today," says Luis Gutierrez, from center stage. "We have brought together the true fabric of what Chicago is, of what our country is."

Then The Man himself appears.

"Our city was built by immigrants," shouts Mayor Daley. "This is a fight about America. Don't let anyone tell you that you are an immigrant--everyone in America is an immigrant!"

The crowd explodes into cheers. "Tell the federal government that we're right," Daley says. He lowers his voice dramatically for effect. "And you're wrong."

(2006-03-14)

Also by Amy Mujtaba

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