Canceled Immigration Workshop Sparks Arlington Heights Library Rally (VIDEO)

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — The Arlington Heights Memorial Library yet again became the local stage for the national debate surrounding immigration as about 200 demonstrators gathered Saturday morning in front of the village institution in support of immigrants. It's the second time this week the library has been the backdrop for this heated political issue. A workshop Monday, Sept. 25, to discuss undocumented immigrants' rights was canceled after the library received calls threatening to contact federal authorities about the event, which had been organized by the Community Activism Law Alliance.

Titled "Know Your Rights," the canceled program had intended to field questions concerning "what to do and say when in contact with immigration and police officers, what the new executive orders mean for undocumented immigrants, and how to prepare 'emergency kits' to help families who may be at risk for detention or deportation make appropriate plans," the event's description stated on the library's website. Participants were promised that no personal information would be collected.

"The decision to cancel the Workshop was based on concerns for the safety and welfare of Workshop attendees, Library staff and Library users," according to a library statement addressing the move. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Deb Smart, the library's board president, told the Daily Herald that people called the library, saying they would contact Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the program. But Arlington Heights police Sgt. Doug Hajek told the Arlington Heights Post on Saturday that he thought it was "highly unlikely" ICE agents would raid an immigration program at a suburban library.

Along with the warnings of calls to federal authorities, Smart also told the Herald she was personally threatened by people opposed to the workshop, and she characterized the entire experience as "an unsettling process." Saturday's rally, however, offered a show of support for the library.

The demonstration, known as "Rally Against Hate — We Support Our Neighbors," ran from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 30, in front of the library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. It was organized by VOCAL (Voices of Community, Acceptance & Love) and We the People, nonpartisan community groups serving Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect and other surrounding areas.

WATCH: Around 200 people gathered at a rally Saturday at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library after threats forced library officials to cancel a program dealing with the undocumented immigrants' rights.

During the peaceful rally, demonstrators marched with pro-immigration signs and chanted, "Hate has no home here," according to the Post. Mike Driskell, the library's acting executive director, told the Post that the crowd was respectful and only caused a minor disruption.

Ahead of Saturday's event, the Chicago-based Community Activism Law Alliance thanked supporters for their efforts.

"While we are disappointed and shocked that an event to educate immigrants about their LEGAL RIGHTS would be met with such intimidation and hate, we are strengthened by the outpouring of kind words and generous offers from those in the community who refuse to allow the actions of a few define the entire community," according to a statement posted on the group's Facebook page.

Jessica Hernandez, Community Activism Law Alliance's legal counsel, told the Post that this is the first time the group has had one of its seminars canceled over safety concerns. And despite the issues surrounding the library's attempt at holding an immigration rights workshop, Smart told the Herald that officials haven't ruled out trying the program again but at a different venue.

More via the Daily Herald and the Arlington Heights Post

Photo via Patch archive

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