'Day Without Latinos' protesters march to Milwaukee County Courthouse, denounce Sheriff Clarke
Mary Spicuzza, and James B. Nelson
Azarel Arias said he was marching to fight deportations and show the importance of keeping families together.
"We're looking for freedom. We're looking for a better life for our families," said Arias, a 39-year-old foundry worker. "We have to show solidarity."
He and his family were among the thousands of protesters who gathered in Walker's Point and marched to the Milwaukee County Courthouse Monday as part of a statewide "Day Without Latinos, Immigrants and Refugees" protest, which targeted Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.'s plan to crack down on illegal immigration.
The event was organized by the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera and other advocacy organizations. Numerous speakers at the rally denounced Clarke's plan to enroll his deputies in a federal program that allows them to act as immigration agents.
"Immigrant and refugee communities, and those that stand with them, are not going to be pushed into the shadows. We're not going to let our constitutional rights to be stripped away from all of us, nor allow discriminatory laws to be legalized," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Voces' executive director. "We're making a strong statement that immigrants and refugees contribute significantly to the well-being of our economy, and that we should be helping them, thanking them and making life easier for them, instead of trying to implement these kinds of policies."
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People flooded into Milwaukee from about 25 cities around the state for the event, with buses coming from places including Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Manitowoc, Racine and Wisconsin Dells. More than 150 businesses closed to mark the day, the group said.
The event came in response to Clarke's pledge to help crack down on illegal immigrants in the wake of President Donald Trump's executive orders on immigration.
Neumann-Ortiz said the policies promoted by Trump and Clarke "are trying to instill fear, break up families and promote discrimination."
Last week, Clarke said he would not be in attendance.
"Please accept my regrets," he said in a Wednesday Facebook post. "I will be working with agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement helping them identify criminal illegal aliens and therefore cannot attend your rally being held for me."
On Monday, Clarke added that the United States "is a sovereign nation with borders that have to be enforced and protected."
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In another Facebook post, Clarke said the country needs to control its borders for many reasons, including to protect national security, prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to "control the number of another failed nation's refugees which would overwhelm America's limited public services."
"There must be a zero tolerance for allowing people to illegally enter this country and establish permanent residency," Clarke said.
But Ashley Baez, a 15-year-old Milwaukee high school student, said she was concerned about how nervous the community has become over the political climate.
"We all have rights, and we all should be treated as equal," she said.
Many who marched shouted chants including "Si, se puede," which is commonly translated as "yes, we can" or "yes, it is possible," a slogan made famous by the United Farm Workers. Others carried American and Mexican flags. Signs read "No Gestapo Sheriffs!" and "Stop Being I.C.E. Cold Keep Families Together."
Mayra Estrada, a 33-year-old Milwaukee resident, said, "Everybody is scared who's not here legally that they're going to be deported and separated from their families."
"No matter what status you have, we're here to work hard," she said as she marched with her family. "And we're not taking anybody's job, we're doing our job,"
No incidents were reported during the march Monday. In advance of the gathering, Milwaukee police tweeted a reminder at protesters noting that Clarke is responsible for Milwaukee County Courthouse security.
Hispanic families say they are being profiled as a whole community.
But Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele told the crowd gathered at the courthouse that they are welcome here.
"This country is made great and is made strong by immigrants," he said. "This isn't a Republican issue or a Democrat issue, this is an American issue. Thank you for your voice."